Why Do Turkey Legs Have So Many Bones?

Turkey legs are a popular snack at summer barbecues theme parks, and holiday meals. Their rich succulent meat and bold flavor make them a favorite. But biting into a turkey leg reveals a mouthful of bones. Small, thin, sharp bones riddle the meat, making turkey legs trickier to eat than chicken legs. So why are turkey legs so bony compared to chicken?

The short answer is turkey legs contain more bones due to differences in anatomy and the need to support more body weight But let’s take a closer look to fully understand the science behind turkeys’ bony legs

The Main Bones in a Turkey Leg

A turkey’s leg contains three major bones like other birds and chickens:

  • Femur – The thigh bone attaching the leg to the body.

  • Tibia – The main shin bone running parallel to the femur.

  • Fibula – The small, thin bone alongside the tibia.

These leg bones provide structure for muscles like the drumstick and thigh. So far, turkey and chicken legs sound very similar. But there are key differences leading to more bones in turkeys.

Turkey Legs Have Calcified Tendons

In chickens, flexible tendons connect leg muscles to the bones. But in turkeys, the tendons undergo calcification – they harden and develop bone-like tissue.

These calcified tendons branch through the meat like bony spines between muscles and leg bones. Chickens don’t have this tendon calcification, leaving their meat appearing bone-free.

Why Tendons Calcify in Turkeys

Compared to chickens, turkeys are much heavier birds, especially commercial breeds. To support their weight, turkey leg tendons calcify to provide extra strength and reinforcement.

It’s similar to steel rods reinforcing concrete. The calcified turkey tendons bolster the legs, preventing injury as the heavy birds move and bear their body load.

Larger Turkeys Have More Calcified Tendons

More calcified tendons penetrate the leg meat of bigger turkeys. A 20 lb commercial turkey may have over a dozen bone fragments. Smaller heritage breeds have fewer tendons turned to bone.

So the abundance of bony bits depends on the turkey’s size. They’re most prevalent in the thickest drumstick meat.

Do the Bones Impact Flavor?

The calcified tendons don’t negatively affect flavor. As they cook, the tendons transfer savory juices through the meat, naturally basting it from within.

The tendons also partly dissolve, imparting rich essence to the surrounding meat. So while annoying to eat around, the bones actually boost flavor.

Coping with Turkey Leg Bones

Here are some tips for dealing with turkey leg bones:

  • Carefully remove bones with fingers while eating.
  • Cut or scrape meat off bones before serving.
  • Cook legs low and slow until meat falls off bones.
  • Avoid giving small children turkey legs due to choking risk.
  • Enjoy legs more for flavor than hand-held meals.

With the right techniques, the bones become less bothersome, letting you savor the signature turkey flavor.

Why Turkey Legs at Fairs and Theme Parks

Turkey legs are now fair and theme park staples for good reason:

  • Calcified tendons make them easy to hold.
  • They maintain integrity when cooked vs. falling apart.
  • Large size accommodates thick seasoning.
  • Bones make them filling, so people snack longer.

The bones support the meat into an edible hand-held meal. Next time you grab a turkey leg at a fair, you’ll appreciate the science behind it!

So while abundant bones in turkey legs may seem odd, they have an anatomical purpose. Calcified tendons act like bones, supporting the heavy commercial birds as they move. Though tricky to eat around, the bones do add savory flavor as they partly dissolve. With some effort, you can still relish the rich taste and meatiness of turkey legs.

why do turkey legs have so many bones

Step 1: Removing the leg and thigh

Coming in next to the breast you will take your knife and slice straight down. Your knife will soon hit the ball socket joint that attaches the thigh bone to the pelvic bone. Once your knife hits this spot you just press down on the thigh and the ball will pop from the socket. Once this happens, just take your knife and cut straight down. This will remove the whole leg and thigh off in one beautiful piece.

Turkey Leg and Thigh Recipes

Here are three simple steps to get more from your turkey harvests this year. Below you’ll see step-by-step instructions with pictures to detail how to break down a turkey leg. Give it a try and remember what I always say, “You can’t screw up, it’s just another meatball.” Meaning, even if you hack at the meat, it’s still gunna get eaten.

Top 10 UNTOLD TRUTHS of Disney’s Giant Turkey Legs

FAQ

Why does turkey meat have so many bones?

The avian skeleton is comprised of approximately 150 bones and has two primary functions, one is to provide the framework to support muscle attachment and protect internal organs and the other function is to provide a store-house for calcium and phosphorus, two essential elements important for mineral homeostasis and …

Why are turkey legs so hard to eat?

The wild turkey legs are filled with tendons that turn hard as rocks when you cook them, and this scares many people off.

What are the white things in turkey legs?

Over the years, those paper coverings have had many creative names: turkey frills, turkey booties, even turkey panties. While they’ve (thankfully) fallen out of fashion in recent years, they did originally serve a very specific purpose.

Why do turkeys have strong legs?

The strong legs allow turkeys to run quickly and escape predators. The flexible neck helps them forage for food and keep an eye on their surroundings. The sturdy wings, while not used for sustained flight, are crucial for balance and short bursts of lift.

What happens when people have very thin bones?

People with very thin bones usually have osteoporosis. Bones lose some of their strength and are more likely to break. People with osteoporosis have a higher risk of fractures. Bones can fracture even during everyday movements, such as bending or coughing. The most common osteoporotic fractures occur in the wrist, hip and spine.

Do turkeys have leg problems?

By: Jackie Linden Leg problems of various types in turkeys have cropped up several times in the news over the last few weeks. Clearly, leg and foot conditions have implications in terms of both reduced welfare and production (poor growth and condemnations at the slaughterhouse).

What is the Turkey Leg in Mope.io?

The Turkey Leg is a food source in Mope.io that spawned in all biomes and was edible for all animals above tier 5. It could be eaten in a single hit and provided around 600-800 XP. The Turkey Leg spawned in all biomes.

Why do turkey legs need to be tied up?

By tying up the turkey’s legs, you are effectively reducing the amount of hot air around them. If there is not a lot of hot air present, the turkey legs will take longer to cook. Turkey legs already take a long time to cook because they have bones. That cooking time will extend even further after trussing.

What are turkey bones called?

These are called the major caruncles. All the mottled coagulation of shiny, leather-like skin that wraps around the turkey’s head like a hood and runs down their necks are also considered caruncles. How do you cook turkey bones in a slow cooker?

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