Kill Now, Pluck Later

[BrandonsBirbs]

Can I kill some birds now and keep them in the fridge or something in a container and then pluck them a few hours later? Just curious, thanks BYC.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

They'll be stiffer, but yes

 

[Molpet]

Yes but can't use a plucker... have to hand pluck ...easier when out of rigor mortis.

https://honest-food.net/on-hanging-pheasants-2/

 

[trudyg]

Are you just killing, putting in the container and into the fridge? Or are you killing them, gutting and then putting in to cool? The plucking, I guess, doesn't matter when you do it. But not gutting them first would slow down the cooling, so more chance of bacteria growth. Just my guesses, I don't know for sure. I just know that hunter's will always gut the animal as quickly as possible just to cool them quicker. The hide removal isn't such a big deal.

 

[Kiki]

Quail?

I don't bother wasting time plucking. It takes no time to skin them.
Get the guts out first...before you leave them sitting.

 

[trudyg]

Kiki, I skin all the birds I butcher. It's not worth the effort for me to pluck since I don't use the skin anyway. Often, I'm in a hurry and kill, drain the blood, hose off the dirt and stuff on the bird, then but off feet and wings, slice up the middle and then pull off the skin. I don't gut, either. I start with my shears and cut up as I go. Cut up both sides of the back, fold it open (kind of spatch cocking, I guess) and scoop out the guts. (I must say, though, if the feathers are dark, you'll see any bits on the flesh. For those, I'll pull out as many feathers as come out easy, then start skinning.)