Expert: Carol Schlitt - 1/22/2007

Question
We roasted a whole organic chicken.  When my husband carved it, there appeared to be some kind of growth in the breast meat -- the meat was green-tinged and a completely different texture than that of a regular chicken.  Whatever this was, it  seemed to be centered in the chicken's breast meat.  At first we thought it was a vegetable or something else lodged in the chicken, but on closer inspection, it was actually part of the chicken.  
Do you have any idea what this might be?
Thanks for your help.

Answer
Martha,

I do not know what this is but I'm forwarding this message on to a poultry specialist at the University of Illinois for his opinion.  As soon as I hear back from him I'll post his response.

Carol

Hi Martha,

Here's the reply I got from our poultry specialist:

Carol,

        The growth on the breast of your organic chicken was just a breast blister.  This sometimes happens because the bird lays down a lot and causes a sore in the breast.  Nothing to worry about.

Ken W. Koelkebeck, Ph.D.
Department of Animal Sciences
282 Animal Sciences Lab
1207 W. Gregory Dr.
University of Illinois
Urbana, IL  61801
217-244-0195
217-333-7861 (Fax)


Glad to hear it was nothing to worry about.

Thanks for your question. I learned something new!!

Carol