Quail - Dark areas in meat

[Scot1458]

Sent some quail to freezer camp last week, and I noticed something I had not seen before. In some of the females, the lower portion around the tail and into the back end was a dark color, almost black.

At first I thought it was bruseing due to that these femails were in a hatching pen with a male, but I'm not sure. They were not that old (20 weeks) so don't know what it was. Anybody run into this before?

 

[Scot1458]

This is what I'm talking about. It seems to be only on the females. Any input would be appreciated!

 

[rhoda_bruce]

You've got me there. I don't believe I have ever killed a female before and I've never heard of bruising. I've got to check what everyone else says.

 

[Scot1458]

It has been very cold, and I have a little sand box in there for them, so thinking maybe it is frost related?

There is no smell, and no unusal activity in the birds behavior, but naturally I"m concered and curious.

 

[anthonyjames]

You may want to post a link back to this one in the quail board. Maybe someone there has seen this