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Chicken pulls October poultry production higher

U.S. poultry production was up in October.

The USDA says 4.592 billion pounds of poultry were certified as wholesome, up 5% on the year, including a 6% increase in chicken to 4.113 billion pounds, which canceled out a 4% decrease in turkey at 467.277 million pounds.

October’s chicken slaughter and total average live weight were both above the year before, at 818.506 million head and 6.65 pounds per bird, respectively, while the turkey slaughter and average live weights were lower. The turkey slaughter was 19.422 million head and the total average live weight was 29.98 pounds per bird.

Ante-mortem condemnations for all types of poultry were 12.563 million pounds, 8% more than a year ago, accounting for 0.21% of the preliminary live weight, with post-mortem condemnations of 25.762 million pounds, 3% less, representing 0.56% of monthly production.

The USDA says poultry stocks in cold storage at the end of October were 1.159 billion pounds, 9% higher than a year ago.

The USDA’s next set of annual poultry production estimates is out December 9^th.