If a market bird has 2 inches of skin missing from the breast and legs, what grade is it assigned?

For assessing the grade of market birds, the amount and location of missing skin are critical factors in determining the quality classification. In this case, having 2 inches of skin missing from both the breast and the legs indicates a significant defect that affects the appearance and likely the overall quality of the meat.

Grade A birds must meet high standards, including the absence of skin damage; therefore, any noticeable skin loss automatically rules out this classification. Grade B allows some defects, but skin loss of this magnitude typically surpasses acceptable limits for a higher grade.

Grade C is more forgiving regarding imperfections, allowing some degree of skin loss but still maintains certain minimum quality requirements. Given that the bird in question has substantial skin damage, the classification as Grade C aligns with the poultry grading criteria, which allows for such defects while still being suitable for market purposes.

In summary, due to the notable extent of skin damage, the grade assignment reflects the minimum quality acceptable in commercial markets, making Grade C the appropriate classification.