Poultry certified wholesome during February 2021 (ready-to-cook weight) totaled 3.74 billion pounds, down 5 percent from the amount certified in February 2020. The January 2021 revised certified total at 4.11 billion pounds, was down 9 percent from January 2020. The January revision represented an increase of 80,000 pounds from last month’s preliminary pounds certified.
Young chickens slaughtered during February 2021 averaged 6.39 pounds per bird, up one percent from February 2020. The average live weight of mature chickens was 6.74 pounds per bird, up slightly from a year ago.
The preliminary total live weight of all federally inspected poultry during February 2021 was 4.92 billion pounds, down 5 percent from 5.18 billion pounds a year ago. Young chickens inspected totaled 4.32 billion pounds, down 5 percent from February 2020. Mature chickens, at 58.1 million pounds, were down 6 percent from the previous year.
February 2020 contained 20 weekdays (including 1 holiday) and 5 Saturdays. February 2021 contained 20 weekdays (including 1 holiday) and 4 Saturdays. The full Poultry Slaughter report can be viewed here.
