Organic chicken slaughter by weight rose to the highest level in 12-months in the last week of January. The rise appears to be a function of both organic chicken slaughter and the average weight per bird. The average weight per organic chicken has increased by approximately 0.15 pounds during the past 12-months, which would require about 0.3 pounds per bird more feed to generate the increase in weight. By weight, organic chicken slaughter is down less than 1% during the past 12-months despite the large decline in slaughter capabilities during April and May 2020 during the pandemic height.

During this period, several organic chicken slaughterhouses shuttered as COVID-19 spread through these facilities. There has been some catchup since most of the organic chicken slaughterhouses reopening in June of 2020….