US poultry certified wholesome down 2% in July

Poultry certified wholesome during July 2011 (ready-to-cook weight) totaled 3.51 billion pounds, down 2% from the amount certified in July 2010, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's latest report.
The preliminary total live weight of all federally inspected poultry during July 2011 was 4.66 billion pounds, down 2% from 4.75 billion pounds in 2010. Young chickens inspected totaled 4.01 billion pounds, down 2% from July 2010. Mature chickens, at 72.9 million pounds, were up 2% from the same time in 2010. Turkey inspections totaled 563 million pounds, down 3% from 2010 numbers. Ducks totaled 11.9 million pounds, down 9%.
Young chickens slaughtered during July 2011 averaged 5.76 pounds per bird, up 3% from July 2010. The average live weight of mature chickens was 6.00 pounds per bird, up 2% from the same time in 2010. Turkeys slaughtered during July 2011 averaged 29.1 pounds per bird, up 2% from July 2010.