Dominic Stone
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 breast tenders, resulting in a green discolouration. The disease is caused by increased bird activity and excessive wing flapping, which leads to a decrease in blood supply to the minor pectoral muscle, resulting in damage. While it does not impact bird health, it poses economic challenges to the poultry industry as the affected breast meat is typically removed, reducing the value of the carcass.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Other Names | Deep Pectoral Myopathy (DPM) |
| Affected Animals | Broiler chickens, turkeys, roaster chickens |
| Cause | Increased bird activity, excessive wing flapping |
| Factors Leading to Wing Flapping | Speed of grower, light dimmer operation, light intensity, bird activity level, number and length of feed outages, handling of birds |
| Muscle Colour After Initial Wing Flapping | Very red with possible haemorrhaging |
| Muscle Colour After Healing | Green |
| Muscle Affected | Minor pectoral muscle ("chicken tender") |
| Muscle Damage Cause | Lack of blood supply due to muscle expansion cutting off blood flow |
| Impact on Bird Health | None |
| Impact on Industry | Economic loss due to removal of affected meat |
| Preventative Measures | Managing bird activity, controlling growth with a 12-hour on-12-hour off feeding schedule, minimising stress |
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What You'll Learn
- Green Muscle Disease is a degenerative muscle disease in heavy chickens and turkeys
- The disease is characterised by necrosis and atrophy of the deep pectoral muscle
- It is caused by increased wing flapping, leading to damage to the minor pectoral muscle
- The condition is a challenge for the poultry industry as it affects the most valuable part of the carcass
- Management practices that minimise wing flapping are key to preventing Green Muscle Disease
Green Muscle Disease is a degenerative muscle disease in heavy chickens and turkeys
Green Muscle Disease (GMD), or 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, often referred to as the "breast tender". While GMD was first identified in adult turkeys, it has since been observed in young broiler chickens and broiler breeder hens.
The disease is a growing challenge for the poultry industry, particularly in chickens bred for heavy breast meat yield. The specific cause of GMD is still under investigation, but it is believed to be associated with increased bird activity and excessive wing flapping in the days or weeks before harvest. The rapid flapping motion increases blood flow to the breast muscles, causing them to expand. In birds near processing size, the minor pectoral muscle is confined to a small space, and the increased blood flow can lead to damage and a loss of blood supply, resulting in muscle degeneration.
GMD does not appear to impact bird health and often goes unnoticed until the birds are processed and deboned. The green discolouration of the meat, similar to a bruise, is unappealing to consumers, leading to the removal of affected meat from the food supply. This creates an economic loss for the industry as it affects the most valuable part of the carcass.
To minimise the risk of GMD, it is important to manage bird activity and reduce stress, especially in the days before harvest. Practices that lessen wing flapping, such as controlled lighting and careful handling, can help reduce the incidence of the disease. Additionally, feeding strategies that control the bird's growth, such as a 12-hour on, 12-hour off schedule, may also reduce the likelihood of developing GMD.
While GMD does not pose a health risk to consumers, the aesthetic concerns and economic impact have made it a significant focus for the poultry industry.
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The disease is characterised by necrosis and atrophy of the deep pectoral muscle
Green Muscle Disease (GMD), also known as 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, commonly referred to as the "breast tender".
The necrosis and atrophy of the deep pectoral muscle in GMD result from increased wing flapping in large broiler breeds. The breast muscles are responsible for the flapping motion of the wings. When birds rapidly flap their wings, the blood supply to these muscles increases, causing them to expand. In birds nearing processing size, the minor pectoral muscle is confined between the keel bone and the major pectoral muscle. With limited room to expand, the minor pectoral muscle sustains damage when the bird flaps its wings. As blood flow increases and the major pectoral muscle expands, it can cut off the blood supply to the minor pectoral muscle, leading to further injury.
The immediate damage caused by this condition leaves the muscle very red, with possible haemorrhaging from ruptured blood vessels. Over time, the affected muscle tissue undergoes necrosis (cell death) and atrophy (wasting away). This results in the characteristic green discolouration observed in GMD, similar to the appearance of a bruise during the healing process.
GMD poses a significant challenge to the poultry industry. While it does not impact bird health and often goes undetected until processing, it affects the most valuable part of the carcass—the breast. The presence of green tenders is unappealing to consumers, leading to their removal during processing, which results in economic losses for the industry. The condition is becoming more prevalent, particularly in broilers grown to heavier weights for the deboning market, and it can affect a small number of birds within a flock.
To mitigate GMD, it is crucial to minimise factors that induce excessive wing flapping in broilers. Management practices that reduce wing flapping, such as controlling bird activity and implementing careful handling procedures, can help prevent the condition. Additionally, strategies like controlling the birds' growth through scheduled feeding and reducing stress in pasture-raised chickens may also lower the risk of GMD.
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It is caused by increased wing flapping, leading to damage to the minor pectoral muscle
Green Muscle Disease (GMD), or 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, also known as the breast tender. While GMD does not impact bird health, it is considered undesirable by consumers and therefore has economic implications for the poultry industry.
The disease is caused by increased wing flapping, leading to damage to the minor pectoral muscle. When birds rapidly flap their wings, the blood supply to the muscles increases, causing them to expand. In large birds, the minor pectoral muscle is confined to a small space between the keel bone and the major pectoral muscle. As a result of this confinement, the minor pectoral muscle is damaged when the bird flaps its wings due to increased blood flow and expansion of the major pectoral muscle, which compresses and cuts off the blood supply to the minor pectoral muscle.
Several factors may contribute to increased wing flapping, including the speed at which growers manage bird activity, light intensity and lighting programmes, bird activity levels, feed outages, and handling procedures. It is important to minimise stress and excitement that may cause frantic wing flapping to reduce the incidence of GMD.
The green discolouration observed in GMD is similar to a bruise during the healing process. While the meat is technically safe to consume, it may be unappealing to consumers. GMD usually goes undetected until the bird is processed, and it can affect part or all of one or both breast tenders.
To prevent GMD, it is recommended to carefully manage bird activity, especially in spaces that allow more movement. Implementing a controlled feeding schedule, such as a 12-hour on and 12-hour off schedule, may also help reduce the risk of developing this condition, along with mitigating skeletal and heart issues.
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The condition is a challenge for the poultry industry as it affects the most valuable part of the carcass
Green Muscle Disease (GMD), 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, often referred to as the "chicken tender" or breast tender. This muscle is responsible for the flapping motion of the wing. When birds flap their wings rapidly, the blood supply to the muscles increases, causing them to expand. In chickens that are near processing size, the minor pectoral muscle is confined to a small space, and the expansion of the major pectoral muscle can cut off its blood supply, leading to muscle damage.
GMD poses a significant challenge to the poultry industry, particularly because it often goes undetected until the birds are processed for meat. While the disease does not seem to impact bird health, it affects the appearance and quality of the most valuable part of the carcass—the breast. The green discolouration of the meat, resembling a bruise, is unappealing to consumers and typically results in the removal of the affected tenders, causing economic losses for the industry.
The primary cause of GMD is believed to be increased bird activity, specifically excessive wing flapping, in the days or weeks before harvest. Various factors can contribute to increased wing flapping, such as lighting conditions, bird activity levels, feed outages, and handling practices. Managing bird activity and minimising stress to reduce wing flapping are crucial in preventing GMD. This includes controlling growth rates through feeding schedules and implementing management practices that reduce excitement or sudden movements that may cause frantic wing flapping.
The incidence of GMD is on the rise, particularly in broilers grown to heavier weights and those with rapid breast meat development. While the condition is not caused by pathogens and the meat is technically safe to consume, the aesthetic concerns make it unappealing to consumers. As the number of cases increases, the poultry industry faces the challenge of balancing high breast meat yield with the prevention of GMD to minimise economic losses and maintain consumer satisfaction.
Preventative measures and management practices that reduce wing flapping are essential to addressing GMD. This includes considerations for lighting, feeding schedules, and handling procedures to minimise stress and excitement, which can trigger excessive wing flapping. By implementing these strategies, the poultry industry can mitigate the impact of GMD on carcass quality and reduce the economic consequences associated with the condition.
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Management practices that minimise wing flapping are key to preventing Green Muscle Disease
Green Muscle Disease (GMD), or 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 breast tenders, resulting in a green discolouration. While GMD does not impact bird health, it is considered undesirable by consumers and results in economic losses for the poultry industry.
The disease is caused by increased bird activity and excessive wing flapping in the days or weeks before harvest. When birds rapidly flap their wings, the blood supply to the muscles increases, causing them to expand. In large broiler breeds, the minor pectoral muscle is confined to a small space, and the rapid increase in blood flow can lead to damage and a loss of blood supply, resulting in muscle injury.
Management practices that minimise wing flapping are, therefore, key to preventing GMD. It is important to carefully manage the activity of the birds, especially after they have moved to a space that allows more movement. Avoiding any excitement or handling that may cause the birds to frantically flap their wings is crucial. This includes factors such as the speed at which a grower walks through the house, the operation of light dimmers, and the intensity and programming of lighting.
Additionally, controlling the birds' growth by implementing a strict feeding schedule, such as a 12-hour on and 12-hour off schedule, can help reduce the risk of GMD. This feeding schedule has the added benefit of helping to prevent skeletal and heart issues. By minimising stress and reducing wing flapping, the incidence of GMD can be lowered, reducing economic losses for the industry and improving the aesthetic appeal of the meat for consumers.
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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 breast tenders.
Green muscle disease is believed to be caused by increased wing flapping in large broiler breeds. When the birds are allowed to rapidly flap their wings, the blood supply to the muscles increases and causes them to expand. The minor pectoral muscle, also known as the "chicken tender", does not have room to expand and suffers damage as a result.
Green muscle disease can be prevented by carefully managing the activity of the birds and minimising stress to reduce wing flapping. Controlling the birds' growth by feeding a 12-hour on, 12-hour off schedule may also help reduce the chance of developing this condition.
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