I normally drop them in an ice chest filled with ice and water for the initial cooling. After about an hour I place each bird into a Walmart bag and place them into a refrigerator for two to three days. The Walmart bag keeps the skin from drying out. When it's time to freeze them I allow them to dry for a few hours, shrink bag and off to the freezer. I've been doing it this way for the last 8 years doing 35 - 50 birds a year with no issues.
