My Barred Rock boys are now in the freezer, but

[KIWI CHICK]

For the first time ever I have put roosters in the freezer, but I think I may have mucked up. I did not realise that I should have left them in the fridge for a few days. Are they going to be tough? I was hoping to be able to roast them but are they going to have to be cooked in the crock-pot? The boys were 7-8 months old and averaged about 2.6-2.8 kg. It is quiet in the morning without 19 crowing roosters!

 

[BCMaraniac]

For the first time ever I have put roosters in the freezer, but I think I may have mucked up. I did not realise that I should have left them in the fridge for a few days. Are they going to be tough? I was hoping to be able to roast them but are they going to have to be cooked in the crock-pot? The boys were 7-8 months old and averaged about 2.6-2.8 kg. It is quiet in the morning without 19 crowing roosters!

I cannot imagine 19 roosters crowing in the morning....

I think that there are folks who freeze as soon as they process, and others who do not. Now, if I had done that, what I would do is thaw the first bird I was going to cook, THEN let it rest in the fridge for 48-72 hours. Some folks brine them 12-24 hours before cooking as well. If your roos are whole, when you open the package of thawed chicken, try to move the drumstick. If it moves easily without moving the entire chicken, then it has completed the rigor mortis that would make it really tough, and you will be just fine.

 

[redsoxs]

BCMaraniac is right on the mark!!