To brine or not to brine...rangers...

[moenmitz]

Our Rangers have been free ranging 12 hours a day, and I don't want them to be tough. Do you recommend brining before roasting, and if so, how long, and what ratio of salt/ water?

 

[SandraMort]

OK, so, how did you keep them from *leaving*? We lost 5 yesterday when they decided to head down the road.

 

[miss_jayne]

Quote:
paging Uncle Hoot and Purple Chicken (aka Jell-o man)...

 

[blueskylen]

i brined one of my red broilers last week, and while it was juicier than not brined, the recipe that I got online used several herbs and the flavor was a bit strong. I did like the juicyness, as they were small broilers and can be dry.

 

[moenmitz]

Quote:
Well, my Rangers are in a 2 acre pasture actually- woven wire fence and they are too fat to squeeze through, not that they have tried. Mine dont like to get real far from teh barn-that is where the feeder is and they dont get it until night! I clap my hands and 100 fatsos come a running to the door!

 

[dancingbear]

Quote:
You didn't say how old they are. If they're standard butchering age, you shouldn't need to brine. If they're older, maybe so. I haven't raised rangers yet, so I'm just speaking of chickens in general. One of the other members who raise rangers can give you specifics about age.

 

[moenmitz]

They will be 11 weeks, whihc is the standard for them, but I have hear some say that because they are allowed alot of exercise, that can make them tough if you do not brine them.

 

[al6517]

If you must brine the ratio is 1 cup of salt to 1 gal water, disolve salt in warm water first cool then brine with ice in a cooler ( easiest way ).

 

[greyfields]

I've never brined. I have good chicken.

Some people always brine. They have good chicken, too.

 

[moenmitz]

Quote:
Good to know. Thank you.

I guess I am concerned because this is the first time I have done this, and I am worried the people who are buying these might not be pleased with them, and thus will notbe return customers. Probably needless worry, but I am hoping to cover all my bases. Greyfields, your Rangers get to run around quite a bit, correct? And you have not had an issue with them being tough?