Making distinction between chicken and hen carcasses according to ossification of thoracic bone, pelvic bones and thoracic vertebrae

This paper investigates the possibility of making distinction between chicken and hen carcasses according to the rate of thoracic cartilage ossification pelvic cartilage ossification and bone accretion as well as of thoracic vertebrae. It has been established that in broiler and hen carcasses according to cartilage ossification and bone accretion, using adspection and palpation methods, it is possible to put them into different categories. The final reliable assessment can be made only after the analysis on the state of cartilage ossification and bone accretion is done. Thoracic cartilage in broiler carcasses is not ossific. In this category of chicken carcasses pelvic cartilage (Illium - Os ilium, Ischium - Os ischii and Pubis - Os pubis) is not ossific, and pelvic bones are not accreted. Thoracic vertebrae (Vertebsae thoracicae), also, are not ossific and accreted. On the other hand, thoracic cartilage, that is thoracic bone in hens is totally ossific and accreted, as well as thoracic vertebrae.