The dedication of high quality, particularly freshness, is way the identical for different kinds of poultry as it’s for hen. The truth is, the identical factors apply typically, however every variety appears to have just a few distinguishing options, that are right here identified.

SELECTION OF TURKEYS.–Turkeys rank subsequent to chickens in recognition as meals. They’re native to America and are maybe higher recognized right here than in overseas international locations. Turkey is a way more seasonal meals than hen, it being finest within the fall. Chilly-storage turkey that has been killed at the moment, supplied it’s correctly saved and cared for, is best than contemporary turkey marketed out of season.

The age of a turkey will be pretty precisely instructed by the looks of its toes. Very younger turkeys have black toes, and as they mature the toes step by step develop pink, in order that at greater than 1 12 months outdated the toes shall be discovered to be pink. Nevertheless, because the chicken grows nonetheless older, the colour once more modifications, and a 3-year-old turkey can have dull-gray or blackish wanting toes. The legs, too, serve to point the age of turkeys. These of a younger turkey are clean, however because the birds get older they step by step change into tough and scaly. A younger turkey can have spurs which are solely barely developed, whereas an outdated turkey can have lengthy, sharp ones.

Turkeys are seldom marketed when they’re very younger. However regardless of the truth that that is often executed, the mature birds are extra typically marketed. Turkeys usually attain a big measurement, weighing as a lot as 20 to 25 kilos. A mature turkey has proportionately a bigger quantity of flesh and a smaller quantity of bone than hen; therefore, even at the next worth per pound, turkey is totally as economical as hen.

SELECTION OF DUCKS.–Geese most likely come subsequent to turkeys in recognition for desk use. Younger geese are bought available in the market through the summer season and are known as spring duck. The mature geese could also be bought at any time through the 12 months, however they’re finest within the winter months.

The flexibleness of the windpipe is a wonderful check for the age of geese. Within the younger chicken, the windpipe could also be simply moved; whereas, within the outdated one, it’s stationary and fairly laborious. The meat of geese is darkish over all the chicken, and the best quantity is discovered on the breast. Its taste is sort of typical, and differs very a lot from turkey and hen. Nevertheless, there’s a comparatively small quantity of meat even on a good-sized duck, and it doesn’t carve to superb benefit; actually, extra individuals will be served from a hen or a turkey of the identical weight. Younger geese are moderately troublesome to wash, as a layer of effective down, which isn’t simply eliminated, covers the pores and skin.

SELECTION OF GEESE.–Geese are way more generally used for meals in overseas international locations than in America. Their age could also be instructed in the identical manner as that of geese, specifically, by feeling of the windpipe. The flesh is darkish all through and moderately strongly flavored. The fats is used fairly extensively for cooking functions, and whilst a butter substitute in some international locations. Due to this reality, geese are typically fattened earlier than they’re slaughtered, and infrequently half the burden of the chicken is fats. The livers of fattened geese attain huge proportions and are thought-about a delicacy. They’re used for pate de fois gras. Normally, that is put up in jars and brings a really excessive worth.

SELECTION OF PIGEONS.–Pigeons are raised primarily for his or her use as squabs. These are younger birds about 4 weeks outdated, and their meat is tender and agreeable to the style. The meat of the mature pigeon turns into fairly robust and unpalatable. The breast is the one a part of the chicken that has meat on it in any amount, and this meat is barely lighter in coloration than that which comes from the rest of the physique. Midsummer is the perfect season for squabs, however they are often bought at different instances of the 12 months. The price of squabs is simply too excessive to permit them for use extensively as a meals within the atypical family.