We just butchered 12 eight week old Cornish Cross chickens. I'm curious what methods everyone uses for cooling. We are just going to leave ours in coolers outside tonight as it's going to be cold overnight here in ND. We filled up the coolers with cold water and plan to let them soak for at least 24 hours. When it comes to birds that are already so young, how fast can this cooling before freezing period be? Do we need to wait 48 hours instead of 24 before freezing? I'm just curious what others experiences are with birds that are only eight weeks of age. If it makes a difference to cool them for a period of time versus just freezing them right away? This has been a fun experience! We have seven in this batch left. I'm sure the layer breeds are wondering where all their heat went! As we had 19 meaties total left.
Round two comes in a few days...40 this time! I think we're nuts! But just one thing to share with folks here. A couple weeks back I had to butcher a couple for various reasons and my five year old daughter was helping me. And she asked to see the heart. So I pulled it out for her in the process and let her hold it. Then she told me, Daddy, let's cut it open! Well, why? I asked her. She replied, cause I want to see Jesus! Oh from the mouth of babes!
When family is involved, there are memories created in raising chickens that you can't put a price tag on!
Round two comes in a few days...40 this time! I think we're nuts! But just one thing to share with folks here. A couple weeks back I had to butcher a couple for various reasons and my five year old daughter was helping me. And she asked to see the heart. So I pulled it out for her in the process and let her hold it. Then she told me, Daddy, let's cut it open! Well, why? I asked her. She replied, cause I want to see Jesus! Oh from the mouth of babes!
When family is involved, there are memories created in raising chickens that you can't put a price tag on!