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Guidance on evisceration of reproductive system in young poultry

Summary

During evisceration the removal of reproductive system in young birds will be optional. The age instead of weight will be used to define "young birds".

Background

  1. Food Regulations:
    • Historically, the Meat Inspection Regulations (MIR), 1990 defined the term "eviscerate" in the context of bird in following manner:
      1. to remove the respiratory and digestive system and the other thoracic and abdominal organs which may include the reproductive and urinary system in respect of

        1. a carcass derived from a young chicken whose live weight was 2.7 kg or less, or
        2. a carcass derived from a young duck whose live weight was 4 kg or less,
      2. in respect of a carcass derived from a bird other than a chicken or duck referred to in paragraph (a), to remove the respiratory, digestive, reproductive and urinary systems and the other thoracic and abdominal organs,

      Accordingly, the MIR a distinction was made between chickens less than 2.7 kg and ducks less than 4 kg from other weight sizes where kidneys and reproductive organs may be left in the carcass.

    • Currently, the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SFCR), Part 1, defines "eviscerate" in the context of bird in the following manner:

      1. in respect of the carcass of a bird, other than an ostrich, rhea or emu, to remove the respiratory, digestive, reproductive and urinary systems, with or without the kidneys, and the other thoracic and abdominal organs;

      Accordingly, the SFCR requires the removal of reproductive system in all birds and provides no exceptions for young birds based upon weight. The definition of eviscerate allows the kidneys may be left in the carcass in all cases; however, the reproductive and urinary systems must be removed in all cases.

    • Additionally, SFCR, Section 145(2) allows partial dressing of the poultry carcasses which may be used by licence holder.
  2. Historical rationale for using weight as an indicator of bird age in MIR:

    Historically, the weight of the bird was used as a parameter to indirectly determine age for poultry. This was possible as

    • young birds general have lower weight
    • there were no Animal Information Documents which could confirm the age of the flock
    • the weight of the bird could be verified by the CFIA staff
  3. Historical definitions of young chicken and young duck in relation to the poultry grading standards:
    Young Chicken:
    means a bird of the species Gallus domesticus having flexible cartilage at the posterior end of the breast or keel bone, tender meat and soft skin of smooth texture.
    Young Duck:
    means a duck having flexible cartilage at the posterior end of the breast or keel bone, tender meat and soft skin of smooth texture.
  4. Animal Information Document (Flock Sheet)
    • Since approximately 2002, when Animal Information Document (AID) also known as flock sheet has been submitted by the producers, which documents the age of flock at time of slaughter.
    • The flock sheet is presented with each shipment which provides information about the age of the bird.
    • The flock sheet is available for inspection by the CFIA staff and when requested is presented to the CFIA for inspection.
  5. How maturity of a bird is related to the post-mortem inspection

    The maturity status of the reproductive system is used to determine:

    • when the reproductive system needs to be eviscerated
    • if there is risk of egg allergens in female birds

Guidance

Although, the definition for "eviscerate" is different in SFCR compared to the MIR, the intent while writing SFCR has been to remove mature reproductive system during evisceration procedures.

Thus, when processing young birds, the no enforcement actions will be taken against the licence holder provided that:

  1. the age of the birds is clearly documented in flock sheet and when required be provided to the CFIA
  2. the carcass is sufficiently dressed to enable a post-mortem examination or inspection
  3. the cavity is free from pathological and processing defects
  4. mature reproductive organs when present will be removed

Additional guidance

Generally the poultry is slaughtered before the birds reach sexual maturity.

Although there are great variations in age when birds reach sexual maturity the following table provides age of sexual maturity for information for birds raised and slaughtered in Canada.

Table 1: Age of sexual maturity age birds raised and slaughtered in Canada
Species Age of sexual maturity (Approximate)
Chicken 14-16 weeks
Turkeys 16-18 weeks
Ducks (Pekin) 22 – 23 weeks
Ducks (Mallard) 22 – 23 weeks
Duck (Barbary/Muscovy) 30 – 34 weeks
Geese Highly variable
Quails 1 month
Silkies 16-18 weeks
Pigeons 6 months
Pheasants 10-12 months
Guinea fowl 2 months

Note

The bird ages in this table are deemed as general guidance and not as a regulatory enforcement.

References:

  1. Following references for bird ages were provided by Dr. Neil Ambrose, British Columbia.
    • Dr. Neil Ambrose (Personal Communication) – May 2018
    • Game Breeders Handbook by Allen Woodard et al.
    • Storey's Guide to Raising Ducks by Dave Holderread
  2. Duck (Barbary/Muscovy)
    • R. Rouvier, INRA Station d'Amélioration Génétique des Animaux
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