Why’s it Green?
Recently we have begun to see more and more broiler chickens with a green discoloration in the deep muscles of the breast. After researching and asking some questions we have found that this is becoming a more frequently found problem amongst broiler chickens. It is called Green Muscle Disease or Deep Pectoral Myopathy. Although this is a bit unnerving to find, especially when you cook the bird whole and find it at the dinner table, it is not rotten or poisoned and can be eaten if the color isn’t off putting to your senses.
What is it?
Deep Pectoral Myopathy (DPM) is a muscle disease that is hidden problem in some large broilers. It does not affect all birds in a group, usually only a few and in many cases not any, but can be alarming when it is found during the deboning of the breast meat.
What Causes it?
DPM is believed to be caused by increased wing flapping in the large broiler breeds. The increase in wing flapping increases the blood supply to the muscles of the breast. As a result the blood can become trapped and causes swelling. This swelling results in low oxygen levels resulting in tissue death of the breast tender and potentially other breast muscle.
What can be done?
Practices that minimize wing flapping seems to be the best defense. Move slowly amongst the flock, reduce startling noises, try no to move birds too quickly, dim lights or bring them up to full brightness slowly.
For more information you can read further:
Green Muscle Disease (DPM) in a Broiler type bird
