Poultry Judging Practice Test

Which area of a chicken loses its body pigment first?

1. Shank

2. Wing

3. Bottom of the foot

4. Beak

The correct answer is: Bottom of the foot

The bottom of the foot is the area of a chicken that loses its body pigment first due to its exposure to various environmental factors and its metabolic processes. As a chicken ages or experiences stress, the pigments in their skin can begin to fade, and the bottom of the foot is particularly susceptible to this change. This area is constantly in contact with different surfaces, which can influence pigmentation loss. In poultry judging, understanding the signs of pigment loss can help assess the overall health and maturity of the bird, as well as indicate its production stage. While other areas, like the shank and wing, can also experience changes in pigmentation, they typically do not lose pigment as quickly as the bottom of the foot. The beak may show some color changes but, again, this occurs at a different rate compared to the foot, making the bottom of the foot the most notable area for early pigment loss. Recognizing these physical characteristics is essential for effectively evaluating and judging poultry.