Rice Breast

[MDL32]

I killed some mallards today that had rice breast, is it ok to eat them? If so does it affect the taste much?

[Shane]

Rice Breast?

[MDL32]

 I found out today:
The condition described is called Sarcocystis or "rice breast." Sarcocystis is a nonfatal, usually asymptomatic, infection that is caused by a parasitic protozoan. Various species of this parasite affect mammals, reptiles and birds. The most commonly reported species in North America is Sarcocystis rileyi, the species found most often in waterfowl. Current knowledge of the disease does not indicate a need to initiate control because there is little evidence that bird health is compromised by this parasitic infection.
Sarcocystis sp. presents no known health hazard to humans. The primary importance to humans of Sarcocystis in waterfowl is the loss of infected birds for food. The unaesthetic appearance of parasitized muscle may prompt hunters to discard the carcass. Many hunters who pluck birds never observe the parasite as cooking generally makes the parasite less noticeable than seen in raw muscle tissue.

Supposedly won't make you sick, but sure looks nasty!

[darstormas1]

None for me thanks!!!

[Shane]

Yes I shot a pintail this year that had that I threw it out thinking that cant be good uuuugh!

[John Akehurst]

looks nasty.  Keep that stuff on the West Coast will ya.