Compared with chickens and turkeys, ______ have a thicker layer of fat under their skin and a lower yield.

Compared with chickens and turkeys, ______ have a thicker layer of fat under their skin and a lower yield.

• A. Chickens
• B. Turkeys
• C. Pigeons
• D. Ducks

Answer: (D)

Fat distribution differs by species, and ducks store more energy as fat under the skin. That thicker subcutaneous fat layer makes a larger portion of the carcass fat rather than lean meat, which lowers the edible meat yield when the bird is processed. Chickens and turkeys have less fat under the skin and more lean meat relative to their weight, so their yield is higher. Pigeons are smaller and leaner, so they don’t fit the thicker fat, lower-yield pattern as well as ducks.

Fat distribution differs by species, and ducks store more energy as fat under the skin. That thicker subcutaneous fat layer makes a larger portion of the carcass fat rather than lean meat, which lowers the edible meat yield when the bird is processed. Chickens and turkeys have less fat under the skin and more lean meat relative to their weight, so their yield is higher. Pigeons are smaller and leaner, so they don’t fit the thicker fat, lower-yield pattern as well as ducks.