Ugh... freezer space required for 15 CX? I think my father is underestimating greatly...

I have a question, which I haven't been able to find an answer to. I'm currently growing out my main yearly meat crop, 15 CX. They're 4 weeks, 1 day right now. I plan on raising them BIG - hopefully I'll get an average between 10-13 pounds at finishing.

Our old upright freezer crapped out this year. My dad is the cheapest of cheapskates, and wants to buy a $250 7.35 cu. ft. freezer. Now, given that math skills suck, I could be wrong, but as far as I can tell that will fit about 16 10-12 lb. CX, whole (I don't want to cut up more than 3-4, at most). Which is all great and fine... except that I also have 3 12 week CX (which I need gone ASAP), and a bunch of poor layers, capons, roos, and 4 BB turkeys that I need to fit somewhere this year as well. Not to mention those guinea fowl I want to cull, plus the freakin 80 lbs. of deer I will, with any luck, be trucking home from Montana this year.

So basically... can anyone confirm that my math is right? I mean, it's all fine and dandy that the cheapest possible fridge will just barely be able to fit all 15 of my CX, but I'm not very fond of the notion of... what? What exactly am I expected to do with the other, I don't know, 150+ pounds of meat that will be coming in through the rest of the year?

I'm hoping to buy the 20-23 cu. ft. instead. Ideally that will fit as much meat as I need it to.

I don't know how much freezers in general cost, but I think you should go with the largest you can afford since you have so much meat.

Can you split the difference with him for the larger freezer? Or show him your math and ask (nicely, of course) how all the meat is supposed to fit.

You can also buy a pressure canner and learn to can. Canned chicken is great for those older birds, even a good amount of that venison. Nothing easier for dinner than opening a jar and cooking some rice or noodles.

Just purchased used. No idea where you live but in a minute looking at Sacramento craigslist found this:

https://sacramento.craigslist.org/app/5131541020.html

Yes, you'll need more freezer space. Your about right on 15 birds in a 7 cubic ft freezer if growing to small turkey size.

Nope won't fit....

We just bought two 22cu.ft chest freezers off craigslist for 210 total! They are huge, and will hold hundreds of chickens. I also have 2 uprights, one I got for free and one I paid 75 bucks for all work perfectly.

Craigslist is the best place to buy freezers, shop smart and you'll be fine. If he insists on buying new, look at scratch and dents, we have a Sears outlet that sells cosmetic damaged brand new appliances some have small dents and so on. We got a brand new fridge for our garage for $200 with a full warranty.

I get your dad wanting to spend the least amount possible, but it should be done smart. Craigslist is smart

Well, we ended up getting a 10.6 cubic, which will at least hold the CX. He wasn't gonna go for a whole 15 or 20 cu. but agreed that if it's proved that we need more space, he'll buy a second one. Thanks for the advice everyone.