How to package my birds. Newbie

[HollyFoss]

Hi! So my husband and I will be harvesting our first flock of 28 bird this weekend. I have looked online to use to package them with. I see the shrink wrap bags are a popular way, but I planned horribly and won't be able to order the bgs and get them here on time form the slaughter. Any other suggestions? We are keeping some whole while cutting up others. Thanks!

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Vacuum seal is by far the best way to go. There are two types. Vacuum or shrink.
http://www.texaspoultryshrinkbags.com/

You can get them there in time since the meat needs to rest for 2-4 days before you cook or freeze.

 

[HollyFoss]

I have a vacuum sealer. I'm just unsure if the bags will be big Enough for my birds. I will check! Thanks!

 

[HollyFoss]

Can I seal the bags and then let the chickens rest in the fridge? Or?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Yes.

 

[wvhomesteader]

I got our shrink bags from Top of the Mountain Vegetable Farm and they shipped the next day. They were very efficient and came in a day or two. I don't know where you're located but they ship priority USPS from Vermont. We are in WV and got them in two days.
It's worth a shot, IMHO

 

[wvhomesteader]

Chicken canoe was that yes to being able to seal then rest?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Yes, you can rest the meat after you seal it. That's usually what I do. You can also rest after you thaw it out but it still needs to get the rigor out at some point. 24 hours is critical but I usually rest about 4 days. Research shows that resting with the bone in gets the rigor mortis out more completely.
If I let the birds get too big, they won't fit in the large vacuum bags. You can part them out.

 

[slingshotandLAR]

Resting is highly dependent on how your slaughter practice is...

Our birds are done fast than get an ice bath than packaged and in to the cooler, they are only in rigor a short time.

The quicker you go the better it is, we always eat chicken on processing day. There is no rigor in the birds we did at 12:00 than cook at 6. They are always super tasty and tender