how long until rigor mortis?

[Highlander]

Found a dead chicken tonight and I'm trying to work out estimated time of death. So how long after death does rigor mortis set in and how long does it stay?

Thanks

 

[spish]

i believe it sets in between a half hour and 4 hours after death, then usually goes between 24 - 48 hours afterwards?

 

[roadrunnerred]

Whyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy?

 

[Highlander]

Quote:
Why what?

 

[silkieroo]

I have no idea! But I'm sorry about your hen!!

 

[silkiechicken]

Quote:
That sounds about right. Temperature does play a big role though in how fast it sets in and leaves. Warmer = faster to set and faster to leave.

 

[aggie9296]

A couple of poultry farming websites said it can start in 30 min to 4 hours. Usually over by 6-7 hours where they are no longer stiff. The meat bird people may can give you more personal experience and time line.

 

[schellie69]

To get time of death take temp of liver and take temp of environment then you do some math and that gives you time of death. You loss one degree of body heat per hour approximately depending on temp outside.

 

[Highlander]

Thanks everyone, that's been helpful.

 

[Highlander]

Quote:
Thanks but it was a spare roo that we were going to eat anyway so no biggie, but i was just trying to figure out what happened and when.