News

February poultry production up on year

U.S. poultry production moved higher in February 2024.

The USDA says the total of 4.213 billion pounds was 4% more than February 2023 due to higher rates of chicken and turkey slaughter and a heavier total live weight.

Chicken production was 3.779 billion pounds with a slaughter of 770.048 million head and total live weight of 5.004 billion pounds, all 4% higher, while the average live weight for all chickens was unchanged at 6.5 pounds. Turkey production was 423.912 million pounds, up 1%, with a slaughter of 16.346 million head, an increase of 4%, a total live weight of 531.418 million pounds, 1% heavier, and an average live weight of 32.51 pounds, down 1%.

Chicken stocks in cold storage at the end of February were under a year ago while turkey supplies moved higher due to differing demand.

The USDA’s next round of 2024 poultry production estimates is out April 11^th.