Bit off more than I can chew?

[EnnisLakeFarm]

So this year I decided to do meat chickens. I went ahead and ordered 100.
My issue is I keep reading that they have to chill for a couple of days in the fridge before using or freezing. How in the world is this done? I can't fit 100 chickens in my refrigerators. Granted, they aren't all for my house but that's a lot.

 

[BantyChooks]

I've skipped the fridge time before. Letting the carcass sit for a few days right before using it seems to work about as well.

 

[Pennys Mama]

Some people process them on different days, like 10 this week, 10 next week, etc.... instead of all 100 on the same day.

 

[Manhen]

So this year I decided to do meat chickens. I went ahead and ordered 100.
My issue is I keep reading that they have to chill for a couple of days in the fridge before using or freezing. How in the world is this done? I can't fit 100 chickens in my refrigerators. Granted, they aren't all for my house but that's a lot.

Butcher enough to fill it, in 3 days do it again, and again, and again.

 

[Manhen]

Of course you have a freezer for 100 birds?

 

[Ridgerunner]

Some people use ice chests with ice water for aging.

 

[wyoDreamer]

I have been told you can let them rest after thawing also. Just make sure that they get the rest time (before or after freezing) for the rigor-mortis to dissipate or they will be tough.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

So this year I decided to do meat chickens. I went ahead and ordered 100.
My issue is I keep reading that they have to chill for a couple of days in the fridge before using or freezing. How in the world is this done? I can't fit 100 chickens in my refrigerators. Granted, they aren't all for my house but that's a lot.

How in the world could you process 100 birds in a day?!

Well, I'm a housewife and do all my own processing so 3 or so is my max per day. But with help have done 10 in one day...

Sending to their intended households immediately is one way to spread the chilling space.

Most folks I know who do many birds at once also use ice chests with ice water... one guy adds kosher salt to his and brines at the same time.

Some folks send their birds to a processor and get them back already chilled or even frozen.

Keep in mind... cooling them down before shoving a whole bunch of warm bodies that will warm the entire fridge is important.

Maybe next year... plan for 100 birds, but order and process in batches. I get all at once is over and done though!

Some locations have "cold storage".. maybe you can rent one.

I really, really... want a walk in fridge and freezer like restaurants have... might be more efficient than the two side by sides and the 3rd deep freezer I currently have plugged in! Maybe after I get a whole house generator.

 

[Manhen]

really, really... want a walk in fridge and freezer like restaurants have... might be more efficient than the two side by sides and the 3rd deep freezer I currently have plugged in! Maybe after I get a whole house generator.

I like the way you think.

 

[Friendly_Lurker]

So this year I decided to do meat chickens. I went ahead and ordered 100.
My issue is I keep reading that they have to chill for a couple of days in the fridge before using or freezing. How in the world is this done? I can't fit 100 chickens in my refrigerators. Granted, they aren't all for my house but that's a lot.

I don't know about the chilling, I've done meatbirds before though. Never killed them myself. Are you going to sell them?