Poultry ready-to-cook weight down 2% in April

The average live weight of chickens in April came to 5.63 pounds per bird.

Poultry certified wholesome during April 2011 (ready-to-cook weight) totaled 3.48 billion pounds, down 2% from the amount certified in April 2010, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The March 2011 revised certified total at 3.87 billion pounds, was up 4% from March 2010.
The preliminary total live weight of all federally inspected poultry during April was 4.60 billion pounds, down 2% from 4.71 billion pounds during the same time in 2010. Young chickens inspected totaled 3.95 billion pounds, down 3%, while mature chickens, at 66.3 million pounds, were up 2% from 2010 numbers.
Turkey inspections totaled 571 million pounds, up 1% from April 2010. Ducks totaled 13.4 million pounds, down slightly.
Young chickens slaughtered during April 2011 averaged 5.76 pounds per bird, up 1% from the same time in 2010. The average live weight of mature chickens was 5.63 pounds per bird, up 5%. Turkeys slaughtered during April 2011 averaged 30 pounds per bird, up 1% from April 2010.