LPT 312: Abattoir Practices and Animal Products Technology (1+1)

GRADING OF POULTRY CARCASSES

Grading

• Dressed chickens are graded on the basis of conformation, degree of fleshing, bruises, cuts and other quality attributes.
• Indian Standards for dressed chicken are given in the table below.

Indian standards for dressed chicken

Sl. No.	Quality attributes	Grade 1	Grade 2
1.	Conformation	Free of deformities that detract from its appearance or that affect the normal distribution of flesh. Slight deformities such as slightly curved or dented breast bones and slightly curved backs may be present.	Slight abnormalities such as dented, curved or crooked back or mis-shapen legs or wings which do not materially affect the distribution of flesh or the appearance of the carcass or part.
2.	Fleshing	The breast is moderately long and deep and has sufficient flesh to give it a round appearance with the flesh carrying well upto the crest of the breast bone along with its entire length.	The breast has a substantial covering of flesh with the carrying upto the crest of the breast bone sufficiently to prevent a thin appearance.
3.	Fat covering	The fat is well distributed so that there is a noticeable amount of fat in the skin in the areas between the heavy feathers tracts	The fat under the skin is sufficient to prevent a distinct appearance of the flesh through the skin, especially on the breast and legs.
4.	Defeathering	Free of pin feathers, diminutive feathers and hair which are visible to the inspector or grader	Not more than an occasiona protruding pin feather or diminutive feathers shall be in evidence under a careful examination.
5.	Cuts and tears	Free of cuts and tears on the breast and legs.	The carcass may have very few cuts and tears.
6.	Discoloration	Free from discoloration due to bruising, free of clots; flesh bruises and discoloration of the skin such as “blue back” are not permitted on the breast or legs.	Discoloration due to bruising; free of clots; moderate areas of discoloration due bruising in the skin or flesh.
7.	Freezer burn	May have an occasional pock marks due to drying of the inner layer of skin (derma), provided that none exceeded the area of a circle 0.5 cm in diameter on chickens.	May have a few pock marks due to drying of the inner layer of skin (derma), provided that no single area exceeds that of a circle 1.5 cm in diameter.