Poultry certified wholesome during March 2021 (ready-to-cook weight) totaled 4.58 billion pounds, up three percent from the amount certified in March 2020, according to USDA’s latest Poultry Slaughter report.
The February 2021 revised certified total at 3.74 billion pounds, was down four percent from February 2020. The February revision represented an increase of 246,000 pounds from last month’s preliminary pounds certified.
The preliminary total live weight of all federally inspected poultry during March 2021 was 6.04 billion pounds, up three percent from 5.85 billion pounds a year ago. Young chickens inspected totaled 5.30 billion pounds, up three percent from March 2020. Mature chickens, at 67.2 million pounds, were down four percent from the previous year.
Young chickens slaughtered during March 2021 averaged 6.39 pounds per bird, up one percent from March 2020. The average live weight of mature chickens was 6.72 pounds per bird, down one percent from a year ago.
March 2020 contained 22 weekdays (including 0 holidays) and 4 Saturdays. March 2021 contained 23 weekdays (including 0 holidays) and 4 Saturdays.
