dressed weight also varies by animal. for example, the dress weight for chickens and other fowl is closer to 75% of the live weight, which is significantly higher than that of cattle, which can be from 50-70% depending on breed and methods used. to compare, a 250-pound pig will typically have a dressed weight of 180 pounds and a retail cuts weight of 144 pounds. this is a net of 72% dressed weight, with only 57% of the original live weight becoming retail cuts.