Pollo y Capón del Prat PGI

Tasting notes

Fine, juicy meat without excessive fat.

Other notes

The Prat breed, which is native to the Baix Llobregat district (Catalonia) is one of the most highly-esteemed of chicken breeds because of its quality as a producer of good-sized eggs (over 55 g), its pink color, and specially its fine, juicy meat.

The chickens and capons of this breed can basically be distinguished by their blue legs, pearly skin color and elongated breast. Other distinctive features are a moderately large, broad, elongated head, a smooth face without granulation, the beak is long, strong, vigorous and dark-colored, the eyes are large, round and prominent and colored between hazel and red, the crest has five or six points, is fleshy, broad and red, the neck is robust and long, the chest wide and deep, with a full breast, the tail is long and feathery and the thighs are long and meaty. Only the top quality (category A) carcasses are covered by the PGI and must be chilled while fresh and presented in one of the following ways:

- Traditional, eviscerated

- Ready for cooking

- In pieces, quarters or halves

Production / Processing method

Eggs for incubation are well-formed, pink and have a minimum weight of 55 grams. The chickens are golden beige and must have a minimum weight of 32 grams. The feed given must lead to harmonious growth without excessive fattening. During the first five days of life, the chickens receive starter feed. After the fifth day and until slaughter, they receive fat-free feed - 31,000 metabolized calories and 18-19% basic protein. Authorized foods include cereals or their equivalent, soy and sunflower or rapeseed cake, alfalfa meal, lean lactic products and beetroot molasses. The use of growth factors, antioxidants, emulsifiers, thickeners and jelling agents is expressly prohibited.

Production covers the operations of slaughter, cutting and classification prior to dispatch. The PGI meat comes from registered farms, and the chickens and capons are slaughtered at a minimum age of 77-182 days.
Conditions during transportation and waiting prior to slaughter must ensure minimum aggression for the birds. Carcasses must absorb minimum amounts of water, and the temperature for scalding and water jets must be controlled.

Sales must take place within a maximum of seven days after slaughter. Carcasses may not be frozen.

Geography / Relief and climate

The production area is located on the floodplain of the Llobregat river delta, south of the city of Barcelona. The Prat del Llobregat is a plain having the natural characteristics of delta soils. The climate is Mediterranean, with hot, dry summers and mild winters, with maximum rainfall in spring and summer.

Regulatory Council

Consejo Regulador de la IGP Pollo y Capón del Prat
C/ de les Moreres, 48
08820 El Prat de Llobregat (Barcelona)
Tel: (+34) 934 786 878
tirado@elprat.cat
www.pollastredelprat.org

Sources:
 
- Spanish Ministry of Agriculture

- Regulatory Council, Pollo y Capón del Prat PGI