Grading Poultry Carcasses

Give me an A!

Created By Jerry Taylor AgricultureEducation Teacher Madison County High

Georgia Ag. Ed. Curriculum Office July 2003

Why Grade Poultry Carcasses?

• To insure quality before it is sold.

• Keeps you from selling unwholesome poultry.•Did you know that grading is voluntary and paid for by the meat packer?

What are the Grades of poultry carcasses?

• A - Sold in stores.

• B – Often not a grade sold in stores.

• C – Usually used for processing into other chicken foods.

• Nongradable

Standards of an A Quality Poultry CarcassFactor A Quality

Conformation Normal

Fleshing & Fat covering Well fleshed with a well developed layer of fat.

Exposed flesh ¼” on breast &

Legs 1” elsewhere

Discolorations ¾”

Disjointed & Broken bones

1 disjointed & no broken

Missing Parts Wing tips & tail

Standards of a B Quality Poultry Carcass Factors• Conformation• Fleshing & Fat Covering

• Exposed Flesh

• Discoloration• Disjointed & Broken

bones.• Missing parts

For B Grade• Moderately curved.• Moderately fleshed & fat

covering.

• No more than 1/3 of part exposed.• 11/4”• 2 disjoints & no broken or 1

disjoint & 1 nonprotruding broken.

• 2nd wing joint, back not wider than base of tail and extending half way between base of tail and hip joints.

Standards of a C Quality Poultry Carcass

• Factors• Conformation• Fleshing & Fat Covering

• Exposed Flesh

• Discoloration• Disjointed & Broken

bones.• Missing parts

• C Quality• Abnormal• Poorly fleshed and covered

in fat.• No Limit

• No Limit• No Limit• wing, back not wider than base

of tail and extending to area between base of tail and hip joints.

What Grade is this?

A Grade

No Defects

What Grade is this?

B Grade

Back is cut out halfway between the base of the tail and the hip joints.

What Grade is this?

C Grade.

More than 1/3 of flesh exposed on breast.

What Grade is this?

B Grade.

Parts of wing removed beyond the second joint.

What Grade is this?

C Grade.

Entire wing removed.

What Grade is this?

C Grade.

Over 1/3 of the drumstick is exposed.

What Grade is this?

C Grade.

Trimmed more than halfway between base of tail and hip joints.

What Grade is this?

C grade.

Protruding broken bone in wing tip.