suspicious meat

Treegod

Songster
10 Years
Sep 7, 2009
174
5
111
Catalonia, Spain
So, on sunday we killed two cockerels, then let them hang until today when I butchered them.
First strange thing was that they had green bits around the back end, what is that? (I just cut it off). Another was that one had bad lungs, the other had perfect pink lungs.

We then boiled it but it seemed to be giving off a smell (I still wasn't too concerned, just interested in going throughthe process). We then cut up the meat, but one smelt too much, and we decided to throw it. The other didn't seem some bad, but when we ate the darker parts it didn't taste "right". I couldn't describe the smell or taste exactly, except to say we weren't sure if it was good. Maybe it really was weird, maybe it's just lack of experience eating our own chicken.

Any good resources on recognising meat quality?

Now, was I being sensible, or just a bit fussy?
 
Several things. Processing as soon ad possible after slaughter will alleviate any concerns.
Also, you should have let the meat rest after chilling for a while. I let my birds rest chilled for 4 days before freezing or cooking.

Have you seen any Black Penedesenca farms around you yet?
 
I have always killed, plucked, gutted, and cooled on same day, one after the next as soon as possible.

Leaving the guts/innards inside do not allows the meat to cool as quickly, besides the feed inside crop and rest of digestive tract can rot ... Feathers also insulate, and do not allow carcass to cool.
 
Okay, thanks for that.

Years ago, when my family had chicken, we'd kill then let them hang for 24 hours, but no problems. I shall have to reexamine this :)
Next time I do it, I'll take your advice.

I haven't seen any black penedesenca farms et. We''ve got plenty of things going on on our little "farm", lol.
 

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