What is this bone???

[slavedriver01]

We butchered our very first turkey today. And something I've never seen in any pics OR from a store bought turkey is this bone sticking out of his breast. Can anybody tell me what or why? He was healthy and active. Always a good eater. Wasn't noticeable until the feathers came off.

 

[feedman77]

Was this a tom.

Maybe beard that didn't grow just calcified.

 

[slavedriver01]

Yeah it was a tom. He had a little beard but not like the others. That actually makes sense because it was around the same area.

 

[Book Em Danno25]

Was this a tom.

Maybe beard that didn't grow just calcified.

 

[WalnutHill]

That was a really nasty breast blister on the keel. The beard is up right where the neck joins the breast.

 

[slavedriver01]

I wonder how the heck he would have gotten a blister?

 

[retlaw]

They get it from roosting on the ground.

 

[WalnutHill]

Some of it is environmental, some is due to physiology.

In the APA breed standards, you'll find reference that disqualifies knobby keels. A knobby keel has a very distinct bump at the joint between the breastbone and cartilage. Irritation and abrasion of this area causes dermatitis, then a blister after further irritation, and finally a cyst or a calcification as shown here. Provide flat roost boards for meat birds, rather than poles. Broad breasted birds that don't roost need deep, clean litter.

http://www.joneshamiltonag.com/jh/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Causes-of-Turkey-Breast-Lesions_web.pdf

Cut the damaged area out, as long as there is no infection the bird is fine to eat.

 

[slavedriver01]

Hmmm strange. They never roost on the floor and have 2x4's for roosts, and very deep litter. We had 4 toms so I thought maybe it had to do with that and their bickering.

Good info! Thank you!

 

[ivan3]

2"x4" would be wide enough (and in the right location, too - if I'm reading this guy's anatomy right, from the shot) and, as turks prefer one side or the other to put wt.on, I'd guess blister, as well.