2-6.
CLASSES OF GUINEAS
a. Young Guinea. A young guinea may be of either sex, is tender-meated, and
has flexible breastbone cartilage.
b. Mature Guinea or Old Guinea. A mature guinea or an old guinea may be of
either sex and has toughened flesh and a hardened breastbone.
2-7.
CLASSES OF PIGEONS
a. Squab. A squab is a young immature pigeon of either sex and is extra
tender-meated.
b. Pigeon. A pigeon is a mature pigeon of either sex with coarse skin and
toughened flesh.
2-8.
CLASS INDICATORS
a. Main Indicators of Class. The main indicator of class, for the grader, are
the age and sex of the bird. Processing into ready-to-cook poultry eliminates many of
the definite indicators which are seen in live and dressed poultry.
b. Specific Indicators. Various indicators which may be seen in live, dressed,
and ready-to-cook poultry are found in tables 2-1 and 2-2.
c. Sex as a Factor. Sex does not become a factor in classing poultry until the
natural differences in the body conformation and distribution of flesh become quite
evident. This never happens in such classes as geese and most breeds of duck. A lot
of poultry containing two or more classes would be described as a "mixed class."
MD0728
2-4