The bones in my cooked chicken are dark gray or black — is that dangerous

4. How Age, Breed, and Processing of the Chicken Affect Bone Color
The age of the chicken plays a significant role in bone color. Younger chickens, often used for broilers, have softer, more porous bones that allow bone marrow to seep through more easily. This is why their bones might appear darker when cooked.
The breed of chicken can also influence bone color. Some breeds have naturally darker bones due to higher levels of pigmentation in their marrow. Additionally, processing methods like freezing and thawing can cause blood in the bone marrow to migrate and oxidize, resulting in darker bones when cooked.