Poultry certified wholesome during October 2021 (ready-to-cook weight) totaled 4.37 billion pounds, down one percent from the amount certified in October 2020. The September 2021 revised certified total at 4.46 billion pounds, was up one percent from September 2020. The September revision represented an increase of 2.51 million pounds from last month’s preliminary pounds certified, according to USDA’s latest Poultry Slaughter report.
The preliminary total live weight of all federally inspected poultry during October 2021 was 5.74 billion pounds, down two percent from 5.84 billion pounds a year ago. Young chickens inspected totaled 5.06 billion pounds, down one percent from October 2020. Mature chickens, at 61.0 million pounds, were down 14 percent from the previous year.
Young chickens slaughtered during October 2021 averaged 6.56 pounds per bird, up one percent from October 2020. The average live weight of mature chickens was 6.86 pounds per bird, down one percent from a year ago.
October 2020 contained 22 weekdays (including 1 holiday) and 5 Saturdays. October 2021 contained 21 weekdays (including 1 holiday) and 5 Saturdays.
