YOUNG BIRDS
MATURE BIRDS
Pliable, resilient, not
Wrinkled, coarser, thicker, points
COMB (chickens)
wrinkled, points sharp
rounded
Pliable; not completely
Hardened
BILL (ducks)
hardened
Faded, worn, except in birds
Fresh, glossy appearance
PLUMAGE
which have recently molted
Generally darker in color;
Smooth layers with
inclined to lumpiness over heavy
brighter color; not lumpy
FAT
feather tracts
over feather tracts
Cartilage, if present,
End of keel hardened cartilage,
BREASTBONE
pliable and soft
bony
Pliable
Not pliable
PINBONES
Scales on shanks, smooth,
Scales on shanks larger, rough,
SHANKS
small
and slightly raised
Small, soft
Enlarged, often hardened
OIL SAC
Spurs gradually increase in
SPURS
length with age, becoming
Small, undeveloped, corn-
(Male chickens,
somewhat curved and sharper;
like
turkeys; occasionally
hens often have fine, sharp
adult females)
spurs after first year
Hardened, almost bony-like to
WINDPIPE
Easily dented
the touch
(ducks, geese)
Tender meated,
Coarser texture, darker,
translucent appearance;
FLESH
hardened muscle fibers
fine texture
Lacking in development,
Generally rounded, full, firm
DRUMSTICKS
muscles easily dented
Table 2-1. Indications of age in live poultry.
MD0728
2-5