Just cut up chicken...what's wrong??

[chicks4kids]

I just cut up one of my chickens that I processed this morning, and when I split the breast it had blood and some really dark looking meat. Any ideas as to what this is? Did I process wrong, or not let it bleed out completely? And do I just tear off the dark areas? Thanks.

 

[bigtooks]

I'm not for certain but it looks like a bruise or an injury of some sort and the blood clotted up there...

It should be fine...just cut off bruised area

 

[chicks4kids]

I thought maybe that was it. I was pretty rough this morning when I processed (working on a chicken and a cup of coffee at the same time isn't pretty!).

But then I thought I may have done it tonight cutting it up, but that's impossible with the blood clot.

Thanks alot!!

 

[jaku]

I'd say either a bruise or the dead muscle tissue disease described in another thread.

 

[dancingbear]

Quote:
No, that's just a clot from a bruise or something. The dead muscle tissue disease produces green muscle tissue. It's called Green Muscle Disease.

You can trim out the clot, or just ignore it and cook the chicken. It won't harm anything.

 

[chicks4kids]

Well, I cut the breast meat off of the bone and in fact it was green, almost flourescent. So I googled Green Muscle Disease and it is in fact known for hybrid meat birds, in the breast muscle when they get too big and get too much exercise.

I believe that this is what I had with this bird. Because even my meaties free range during the day and these girls I butchered today were 2 weeks overdue for butcher. So this definitely could be a possibility.

Thanks to all!!

 

[dancingbear]

Oh ICK! It didn't look at all green in the photo. The photos on the PDF file I saw, the green was right out there, very obvious, and the tissue was shriveled, as well.

I think it was an Aviagen research paper, I'm not sure. Aviagen is one of the main sources of the broiler stock for the meat industry, as well as the meat chicks from hatcheries.

 

[farmin'chick]

The heavy meat birds can also develop breast bruising/callusing if they are allowed to roost rather than being kept on the ground.

 

[SamSam456]

I just cut open a rotisserie chicken purchased at a major retail/grocery store. This is what I found in one of the breasts. It looks like a serious injury and I felt bad for the chicken. We lost our appetites. I'm bringing this pic and my receipt for a refund next time.