UK poultry production up 11 percent over January 2011

UK poultry meat production was 157,100 metric tons in January, 11.2 percent higher than in January 2011, according to the latest Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs statistics. Of that number, 122,100 metric tons were broiler meat, 26,400 metric tons were turkey, 5,400 metric tons were boiling fowl and 3,100 metric tons were duck meat. The average liveweight of broilers was down slightly in January over 2011, from 2.25 pounds to 2.2 pounds, but up for turkeys, from 12.07 pounds in January 2011 to 15.58 pounds in January 2012. UK broiler slaughterings were 5.4 percent higher than in January 2011, at 80 million birds, according to department numbers. Turkey slaughterings were significantly higher, as well, at 24 percent — 2 million birds. UK broiler chick placings were 4 percent higher than January 2011 at 87 million birds and UK turkey placings were 3.9 percent higher at 1.3 million birds.