Ingredients

To judge the age and freshness of poultry and game, notice whether the legs are soft
and smooth and whether the end of the breastbone is flexible.
The skin should be moist and the bird should look plump.
A young bird will have a number of pinfeathers, while an old one can be recognized by having long hairs.
A good goose will have numerous pinfeathers and a good turkey will have smooth, dark legs.
The eyes of a bird ought to be bright and the comb have a clear red color.

Editors note: - Prepackaging of poultry in these times makes it difficult to make some of the above observations.