What the...?? Blackheads on skin after processing

[louis]

I've been processing a bird here and there for a couple months now - Cornish X and RIR roos. Something I've been noticing is almost every bird will have several big blackhead-things, especially on the thighs. They're not feather quills. It's kind of gross but if I squeeze them an almost clear (bit orange) liquid oozes out. I haven't noticed anything weird in the taste and usually cook skinless anyways but I'm wondering if anyone else sees this. And if so, do you know what it is and is there an easy way to get rid of them rather than squeeze them all out?

 

[Judy]

Last time I plucked with a pair of those rubbery-palmed garden gloves and I found that these and the pinfeathers came out a lot more quickly, just kind of wiping the skin with them. Very little was left that had to be picked or pressed one by one. It was an idea I read here on BYC.

 

[louis]

thanks ddawn. I tried and that does help.