A Slit Chicken Leg

Often my chicken drumstick has a deep vertical slit just above the ankle. Does this represent some kashrus issue?

One of the physical defects the Talmud lists as treif, is “nital tzumas hagidin” (Chullin 76a) – the drumstick tendons are missing (or damaged). At times chickens can be afflicted with tendonitis, which can lead to a ruptured tendon, and is treif (Y.D. 56:9).

All OU certified chicken plants have an inspection regime in place to confirm that the chickens are healthy and kosher. As part of this inspection, an incision may be made in the skin, exposing the tendons to allow the rabbi to examine them for tendonitis. This incision is the reason for the slit in your drumstick.

Watch the OU’s informative video ‘What’s Wrong With This Chicken?’, videos 1-8, by Rav Belsky, zt”l, for more on this topic.

The Gerald & Karin Feldhamer OU Kosher Halacha Yomis is dedicated to the memory of Rav Yisroel Belsky, zt"l, who served as halachic consultant for OU Kosher for more than 28 years; many of the responses in Halacha Yomis are based on the rulings of Rabbi Belsky. Subscribe to the Halacha Yomis daily email here.