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duck parasites?
Posted: Sun Dec 07, 2003 10:47 am
by 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?
Posted: Sun Dec 07, 2003 11:30 am
by Blackduck
Ricebreast. Supposedly a harmless parasite (to humans). Meat should be ok to eat from what I'm told. Never been that brave.
Posted: Sun Dec 07, 2003 12:03 pm
by duck_nutt
I'd pass on it too!
ricebreast
Posted: Sun Dec 07, 2003 1:38 pm
by 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
Posted: Sun Dec 07, 2003 10:49 pm
by Strayshot
Appreciate the info Mike, but I still can't bring myself to eat em.
Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2003 4:27 am
by Delta Duck
Yea it is tough to eat one that is infected!
i hear ya!
Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2003 8:24 am
by Duckstuffer
i never said i would eat one ....lol when i skin one with it i go as far as to double glove.
Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2003 9:23 am
by 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.
Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2003 9:31 am
by 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.