Zootecnica International - World Poultry Journal

According to the USDA, poultry production during February was 3.193 billion pounds, down 8% from February 2008's 3.483 billion. Due to 2008 being a leap year, there one less work day in February 2009 and in general, meat and poultry production has declined on uncertainties over demand linked to global financial woes. The bulk of the total was chicken at 2.741 billion pounds, followed by turkey at 443.469 million and duck at 8.053 million. Year to date poultry production is 6.581 billion pounds, 10% less than the January to February 2008 total of 7.323 billion.

Live weight for all poultry was reported at 4.272 billion pounds, 9% below a year ago. The year to date total is 11% less than last year at this time, totaling 9.839 billion pounds. Chickens made up most of the total at 3.702 billion pounds, with turkeys accounting for 558.201 million and ducks totaling 11.241 million pounds.

The average live weight of all chickens during February was pegged at 5.55 pounds, up a tenth from February 2008, and the year to date average is 5.56 pounds, also up a tenth of a pound. Turkeys averaged 29.63 pounds per bird, compared to 29.83 a year ago, with the year to date average at 30.08 pounds, compared to 30.11 for the first two months of 2008.

February's chicken slaughter came out at 667.377 million head, compared to February 2008's 728.095 million. The cumulative 2009 total is 10% less than a year ago at 1.373 billion head. The turkey slaughter was reported at 18.837 million head, 11% below last year, and the year to date total of 38.924 million is 13% less than the January to February 2008 total. The duck kill for February was placed at 1.697 million head, down 15% on the year. The year to date duck slaughter is 3.650 million head, compared to 4.160 million a year ago.

Ante-mortem condemnations were pegged at 12.457 million pounds, or .29% of the total live weight and post-mortem condemnations came out at 38.699 million pounds or 1.20% of the inspected total.


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