The weights of young and mature chickens slaughtered in the United States were up in November, but the average weight of turkeys slaughtered was down, according to the USDA Poultry Slaughter report released on December 23. The report also revealed that the preliminary total live weight of all federally inspected poultry was down 3 percent when compared to November 2012.
The preliminary total live weight of all federally inspected poultry during November 2013 was 4.60 billion pounds, down 3 percent from 4.73 billion pounds in November 2012. While the preliminary total weight is down, the average weight of chickens at slaughter continues to be higher, but the average weight of turkeys is lower, according to the USDA Poultry Slaughter report released on December 23.
Young chickens slaughtered during November 2013 averaged 6.01 pounds per bird, up 1 percent from November 2012. The average live weight of mature chickens was 6.19 pounds per bird, an 8 percent yearly increase, while turkeys slaughtered during November 2013 averaged 28.6 pounds per bird, down 1 percent from November 2012.
According to the Poultry Slaughter report, young chickens inspected totaled 3.94 billion pounds, down 2 percent from November 2012. Mature chickens, at 55.7 million pounds, were down 7 percent from November 2012, and turkey inspections totaled 597 million pounds, down 7 percent from November 2012. Ducks totaled 12.9 million pounds, representing an 8 percent year-over-year decline of 8 percent.
