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Poultry production rises 8%

 

U.S. poultry production during April 2018 was 8% above April 2017 at 3.992 billion pounds.

The USDA says the preliminary live weight of all poultry also increased 8% to 5.270 billion pounds, average live weights were steady to sharply higher, and slaughter rates were up for most of the major categories. All chickens averaged 6.27 pounds per bird, up 1%, including a 7% rise in mature chickens, while turkeys were reported at 31.48 pounds, slightly heavier, and ducks averaged 7.06, up 2%. The total chicken slaughter was 741.639 million head, 6% more than a year ago, with turkeys at 19.131 million, a 10% increase, and ducks at 2.228 million head, 9% higher. There was also one more business day in April 2018 than in April 2017.

Ante-mortem condemnations of 12.169 million pounds were up 5% on the year, representing 0.23% of the preliminary live weight. Post-mortem condemnations were 36.794 million pounds, 1% above last year, and 0.91% of total monthly production.

For 2018 to date, domestic poultry production is 15.990 billion pounds, 3% ahead of the 2017 pace.