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Green muscle disease, also known as deep pectoral myopathy (DPM), is a degenerative muscle disease commonly found in heavy chickens and turkeys. The condition is characterised by necrosis and atrophy of the deep pectoral muscle, which is often referred to as the chicken tender. The green colour is caused by the breakdown of haemoglobin and myoglobin in the damaged muscle tissue. This disease is typically only noticeable during the processing of the bird, and it is believed to be caused by increased bird activity, particularly wing flapping, which restricts the blood supply to the muscle.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Other Names | Deep Pectoral Myopathy (DPM) |
| Affected Animals | Chickens, Turkeys |
| Cause | Increased bird activity, Wing flapping |
| Prevention | Carefully managing bird activity, Avoiding excitement, Controlled growth |
| Colour | Green |
| Colour Cause | Breakdown of haemoglobin and myoglobin in damaged muscle tissue |
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What You'll Learn
- Green Muscle Disease is a degenerative muscle disease commonly found in chickens and turkeys
- The disease is characterised by necrosis and atrophy of the deep pectoral muscle
- It is caused by an increase in bird activity, which results in wing flapping
- The green colour is due to the breakdown of haemoglobin and myoglobin in the damaged muscle tissue
- The condition is a challenge to the poultry industry as it affects the most valuable part of the carcass
Green Muscle Disease is a degenerative muscle disease commonly found in chickens and turkeys
Green Muscle Disease, also known as Deep Pectoral Myopathy (DPM), is a degenerative muscle disease commonly found in chickens and turkeys. It is a hidden problem in today's large broiler chickens that is not detected until the birds are deboned at the processing plant. The disease was first described in adult turkeys and was later noted in broiler breeder hens and young broiler chickens.
The condition is characterised by necrosis and atrophy of the deep pectoral muscle, commonly referred to as the "chicken tender" or "breast tender". This muscle is responsible for the flapping motion of the wing. When birds are allowed to rapidly flap their wings, the blood supply to the muscles increases, causing them to expand. In birds that are near processing size, the minor pectoral muscle becomes trapped between the keel bone and the major pectoral muscle, restricting or stopping the blood supply.
This restriction in blood supply creates an oxygen deficiency, leading to necrosis, or the localised death of cells and tissues. The immediate damage causes the muscle to turn very red, with possible haemorrhaging from ruptured blood vessels. Over the next few days, the muscle takes on a bruised or discoloured appearance, which eventually turns into the characteristic green colour for which the condition is named. The green colour is the result of the gradual breakdown of haemoglobin and myoglobin in the damaged muscle tissue.
Green Muscle Disease can be prevented by carefully managing the activity of the birds, especially after they are out of the brooder. It is important to avoid any excitement or handling that will cause the birds to frantically flap their wings. Additionally, controlling the birds' growth by feeding a 12-hour on, 12-hour off schedule may help reduce the chances of developing this condition, as well as help prevent skeletal and heart issues.
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The disease is characterised by necrosis and atrophy of the deep pectoral muscle
Green Muscle Disease, or Deep Pectoral Myopathy (DPM), is a degenerative muscle disease commonly found in heavy chickens and turkeys. The disease is characterised by necrosis and atrophy of the deep pectoral muscle, also known as the breast tender.
Necrosis is caused by an oxygen deficiency in the muscle, which results in the localised death of cells and tissues. This is due to the increase in weight exerting pressure within the tender, restricting or stopping the blood supply to the muscle. Initially, the muscle appears very red, with possible haemorrhaging from ruptured blood vessels. Over time, the tender takes on a bruised appearance, which eventually spreads to the entire tender. After about a week, the characteristic green colour appears, resulting from the breakdown of haemoglobin and myoglobin in the damaged muscle tissue.
DPM is believed to be caused by increased wing flapping in large broiler breeds, although a host of factors may be responsible for this increase in wing flapping. These factors include the speed at which a grower walks the house, light dimmer operation, light intensity, and bird activity level in the days before catching. The disease was first described in adult turkeys, but it is now more commonly found in young broiler chickens, particularly those grown to heavier body weights for the deboning market.
DPM is a hidden problem that usually goes undetected until the birds are processed, as it does not appear to impact bird health. It may affect part or all of one or both tenders. This creates an economic loss for the poultry industry, as the breast is the most valuable part of the carcass. Management practices that minimise wing-flapping throughout the flock appear to be the best defence against Green Muscle Disease.
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It is caused by an increase in bird activity, which results in wing flapping
Green Muscle Disease, also known as Deep Pectoral Myopathy (DPM), is a degenerative muscle disease commonly found in heavy chickens and turkeys. It is a hidden problem that is not detected until the birds are deboned at the processing plant. The condition is characterised by necrosis and atrophy of the deep pectoral muscle, commonly referred to as the "chicken tender". This muscle is responsible for the flapping motion of the wing.
The disease is caused by an increase in bird activity, which results in wing flapping. When birds rapidly flap their wings, the blood supply to the muscles increases, causing them to expand. In birds that are near processing size, the minor pectoral muscle is confined to a small space between the keel bone and the major pectoral muscle. As a result, when the bird flaps its wings, the minor pectoral muscle is damaged due to the increased blood flow and expansion of the major pectoral muscle, which compresses and cuts off its blood supply.
Increased bird activity is thought to be the primary cause of Green Muscle Disease. However, several factors may contribute to the increase in wing flapping. These factors include the speed at which a grower walks through the house, the operation of light dimmers, light intensity, and bird activity levels in the days leading up to catching.
Careful management of bird activity, especially after they leave the brooder, is essential to preventing Green Muscle Disease. Avoiding any excitement or handling that may cause frantic wing flapping is crucial. Additionally, controlling the birds' growth by implementing a 12-hour on, 12-hour off feeding schedule can help reduce the risk of developing this condition, as well as prevent skeletal and heart issues.
While Green Muscle Disease does not impact bird health, it is a significant challenge for the poultry industry due to the economic loss associated with removing the affected breast meat, which is considered the most valuable part of the carcass.
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The green colour is due to the breakdown of haemoglobin and myoglobin in the damaged muscle tissue
Green muscle disease, also known as deep pectoral myopathy (DPM), is a degenerative muscle disease commonly found in large, rapidly growing chickens and turkeys. The condition specifically affects the minor pectoral muscle, often referred to as the "chicken tender".
The disease is caused by a lack of space for the minor pectoral muscle to expand during wing flapping. The muscle is confined between the keel bone and the major pectoral muscle. When birds frantically flap their wings, the increased blood flow to the muscles causes the major pectoral to expand and compress the minor pectoral, restricting its blood supply. This leads to oxygen deficiency and necrosis, or localised cell and tissue death.
Green muscle disease is a significant challenge for the poultry industry. It often goes undetected in live birds, only becoming apparent during processing when the discoloured meat is considered unappealing and removed, resulting in economic losses. While it does not seem to impact bird health, the number of cases is increasing, and the disease is becoming more prevalent in meat-type broiler chickens.
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The condition is a challenge to the poultry industry as it affects the most valuable part of the carcass
Green Muscle Disease, also known as Deep Pectoral Myopathy (DPM), is a degenerative muscle disease commonly found in large, rapidly growing Cornish cross broiler chickens and turkeys. The disease specifically affects the minor pectoral muscle, commonly referred to as the "chicken tender" or "breast tender".
The condition occurs when the bird's rapid wing flapping causes an increase in blood supply to the muscles, resulting in muscle expansion. In birds near processing size, the minor pectoral muscle is confined to a small space between the keel bone and the major pectoral muscle. Without room to expand, the minor pectoral muscle becomes damaged, leading to a restriction or stoppage of blood supply, causing necrosis or localized death of cells and tissues.
Green Muscle Disease poses a significant challenge to the poultry industry as it affects the most valuable part of the carcass, the breast. The disease often goes undetected until processing, as it does not seem to impact bird health in the broiler house. During processing, the green discoloration of the meat becomes apparent, resembling a bruise. As consumers find green tenders unappealing, they are typically removed, resulting in economic losses for the industry.
The incidence of Green Muscle Disease is increasing, and it is challenging to predict which birds or how many in a flock will be affected during processing. However, careful management of bird activity and growth rates can help prevent the condition. By avoiding excitement or handling that causes frantic wing flapping and implementing controlled feeding schedules, the risk of developing Green Muscle Disease can be reduced.
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Frequently asked questions
Green muscle disease, also known as Deep Pectoral Myopathy (DPM), is a degenerative muscle disease commonly found in heavy chickens and turkeys. It is characterised by necrosis and atrophy of the deep pectoral muscle.
Increased bird activity that results in wing flapping is thought to be the major cause of Green Muscle Disease. The increase in blood supply to the muscles causes them to expand and can lead to damage when the muscle is confined to a small space.
Green muscle disease does not appear to have an impact on bird health and usually goes undetected until the bird is processed.
Green muscle disease can be prevented by carefully managing the activity of the birds, especially after they are out of the brooder. Avoid any excitement or handling that will cause the birds to frantically flap their wings.
The green colour is the result of the gradual breakdown of haemoglobin and myoglobin in the damaged muscle tissue. The muscle initially appears very red with potential haemorrhaging of blood, and over time it takes on a bruised appearance before turning green.
