yellow in/ on chicken feet/ legs after culling

[nurselisa13]

I just culled a couple of extra young roo's. I was processing their feet after removal from their body, dipped them in hot water, peeled off their top layer of skin or whatever it is, and both had a yellow pigment under the peeled off layer that covered the front of their lower legs/feet/ ankle bits. I could wipe it off, leaving the feet a whiteish color like they normally are once ready for the pot. what could that yellow pigment have been?

 

[Mrs. K]

I think if you leave it, you will get a lovely yellow color to your broth.

 

[FeatheredFriends&Horses2]

It was likely small subcutaneous fat deposits of xanthophyll (color pigment) rich fat. Leaving it will add color and flavor to the broth. Xanthophylls are also rich in antioxidants.