How long should carcasses rest?

[Brahma Chicken5000]

Butchered my first chickens today. I’m wondering how long I should let the carcasses rest in the refrigerator before putting them in the freezer. I’ve heard conflicting amounts of time. Is 3-4 days the accepted amount of time?

Cheers

 

[HuffleClaw]

Idk if this will help or not, but I found this old thread
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/after-the-slaughter-and-before-its-cooked.697446/

 

[Molpet]

I wait a day or three

 

[Mosey2003]

Kind of depends. If they're young Cornish X broilers, 3 days is plenty. If they're older than that, I really like 4 days. If they're an old hen or especially rooster, 5 days isn't even too long.

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

Kind of depends. If they're young Cornish X broilers, 3 days is plenty. If they're older than that, I really like 4 days. If they're an old hen or especially rooster, 5 days isn't even too long.

The carcasses are an almost 5 month Rhode Island Red pullet and a 4 month White Leghorn cockerel.

 

[Molpet]

When the joints are loose it's ready
If it's stiff it's not ready

 

[Mosey2003]

The carcasses are an almost 5 month Rhode Island Red pullet and a 4 month White Leghorn cockerel.

I would do 4 days myself.

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

When the joints are loose it's ready
If it's stiff it's not ready

I can move the legs does that mean the carcass is ready for the freezer?

 

[aart]

I can move the legs does that mean the carcass is ready for the freezer?

Give it a few days.....72 hours.
The joints might be loose but the meat may need more time.

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

Give it a few days.....72 hours.
The joints might be loose but the meat may need more time.

Got it. I’m thinking I’ll put them in the freezer Wednesday evening. Although I want to eat one this Thursday so maybe I’ll just keep them in the fridge.