duck parasites?

[Bates]

What are all of the worm looking things in the ducks breast meat? They appear to be the size of a small maggot, but there have been ducks that i have cleaned that had hundreds of them inbedded in the breast. What is it. Any biologist out there?

[Blackduck]

Ricebreast. Supposedly a harmless parasite (to humans). Meat should be ok to eat from what I'm told. Never been that brave.

[duck_nutt]

I'd pass on it too!

[Duckstuffer]

we see this alot in our shop. here is some info i found on the subject

What causes sarcocystosis? (ricebreast)


Sarcocystosis is caused by the cyst stage of a single-celled parasite.
Lifecycle: The parasite needs a waterfowl host and a carnivore host. The parasite multiplies in the waterfowl forming cysts in the muscles. The carnivore becomes infected when it eats meat from a duck with cysts. The parasite reproduces in the carnivore’s intestine without harming the carnivore. It comes out in the carnivore’s droppings and contaminates vegetation, which is eaten by ducks.
Where does sarcocystosis occur?


Sarcocystosis occurs in many species of ducks What are the signs of


Waterfowl and carnivore hosts usually appear healthy.
When butchering infected ducks, cysts may be observed in the breast muscle.
Cysts may look like grains of rice (whitish streaks) running in the direction of the muscle fibers.
How can I protect myself?


Humans cannot be infected by the cysts of Sarcocystis spp. in meat.
Can I eat the meat?


Meat from an infected duck is suitable for human consumption.
Cooking will kill the parasite.

Mike Morgan
Morgan Taxidermy
Vicksburg,MS

[Strayshot]

Appreciate the info Mike, but I still can't bring myself to eat em.

[Delta Duck]

Yea it is tough to eat one that is infected!

[Duckstuffer]

i never said i would eat one ....lol when i skin one with it i go as far as to double glove.

[Jeff]

We eat them all the time down here, wich may explain a lot about me and how I act For whatever reason I would say half of the ducks that we kill have rice breast it would be way too many ducks to get rid of so we go ahead and eat them.

[Don Miller]

I have also heard "rice breast" referred to as "yankee brains" by some folks in Louisiana. I guess it all depends on where you are from.