tough birds?

[stethomps]

Most of the people I have talked with haven't been totally pleased with their Cornish-X experiences. Two summers ago, I butchered around 35 OEG, but this was because they were free ranging for their 2nd summers and had over run my property. They were delicious; we even fried 5 or 6 in a Turkey fryer the day we shot them, before we took the rest to the butcher shop. Its amazing what 10 or so birds can turn into in a few short years, there were at least 150 birds running around, but this is a poo story for another post.

I am excited about the Freedom Ranger, and as soon as the weather breaks I am going to order 50, maybe 100 if someone around here wants to split an order with me. This will be my first attempt with them, but from what I gather they grow just a bit slower the the X; up to 11lbs in 12 weeks, and 18 + in 6 to 9 months. The way I understand it, they are way more humane then the X. You can let them free range, and they are still delicious. Even the ones you let grow out?

 

[ChikeeMomma]

I raised Dixie Rainbows this fall and they are delish! They did some free ranging and had an outdoor run. I also raised them to about 17 weeks. I let them rest in iced water for 72 hours before freezing them. I also cook them at a low temp. They haven't been tough at all.

 

[mamainthewoods]

Thank you all for the responses. I think I will try a different kind of bird, and set up something to free range them in during the day. My husband says the birds are supposed to get cooled down as quick as possible which is why they go directly in to the freezer. We'll have to look into this a bit, I can't see any problem letting them be in the fridge for a couple days if it is going to make them more tender. Guess I need to keep doing some research!

God bless,
'Brenda

 

[jaku]

Yeah, aging/chilling a couple days is a good idea. Also, yes- it is important to get them cooled ASAP, but the freezer isn't actually a great way of doing that. A freezer full of warm meat gets bogged down and takes a LONG time to recover and actually freeze what ever is in it. Plus, chilling in an ice water bath with a little added salt will get them ice cold within a few minutes, as the ice water completely covers the entire surface area of the meat. As for switching birds, I don't think that will help you. It will be tough finding a bird as tender at the Cornish X. Not that others are tough, but they certainly aren't MORE tender. Other breeds will get an extra 6-8 weeks of excercise on their muscles.

 

[juice]

Hello, I am reading all these great responses and have learned alot. Now I have a ??? for you.

So do you all leave them at room temp. for a couple of hours before freezing them(so they won't be tough)?
If so, do we worry about getting bacteria problems? Thanks. juice

 

[jaku]

Quote:
Absolutely not. They need to be cooled to under 40 degrees within an hour after death. I keep mine in an ice water bath for 24 hours, bag them, then chill in the fridge another 24 hours before freezing. So, yes, let them rest before freezing, but NOT at room temperature.

 

[juice]

oops! thanks for clearing that up for me

Juice