where did you get them? the smaller bird looks very healthy, and appears to be getting plenty of food.
my thought (and again, i don't know where you got them) is that the smaller bird may not be 100% cornish cross. unless you get them from a reputable breeder (or the likes), you may not be...
royal palms are a heritage breed that does not get very large. 12-14 pounds. this is my first year raising them, but have a friend who swears they are the most delicious bird around
like said, depends on the bird you're raising. a cornish cross, 6-8 weeks. a freedom ranger, 12-14 weeks.
also depends on what you're planning on doing them. a fryer is not as big as a roaster, for example.
two organs are not completely obvious and need to have conscious effort expended on their removal. the kidneys and the lungs. the kidneys lie on each side of the backbone, towards the hole you create in the rear end of the bird. as you run your fingers along the back bone, push down and scoop...
just to answer a question you had - anemia isn't a shortage of blood, it is a shortage of red blood cells (still same volume, just less red blood cells)
i think the issue here is the time which you let the meat rest.
next day, as in how many hours? I could butcher a chicken at 11 p.m. on the 1st, cook and eat it at 3 a.m. on the 2nd, and technically it's the next day.
the one you did the same day, i guarantee is due to not enough resting...
i agree.... i wouldn't hang a deer in those temps, and def. not poultry. find a cooler.
no meat should be left out in 80 degree temps. you're trying to slow the deterioration by cooling. by letting it sit in 80 degree temps, you are helping the deterioration. haven't you seen those deer...
don't do that. i would recommend before doing several at a time, do one at a time to give yourself reference to how long it is going to taste you. now they're marinating in their own gastric juices.
you also don't have to wait 3 days before putting them in the freezer. we are usually done...
3 weeks or so old, is what we strive for.
it also depends on the chickens, as to whether the eggs will peel clean or not when cooked fresh. my large foul eggs peel like poo, but my banty's eggs peel easy and clean fresh
a cone (traffic, metal, whatever) is going to work better to restrain a struggling bird than any method in which the wings are not held tight to the body.
if they can get to the ground, they will run around, jumping as high as 4', spraying and splattering blood everywhere.
the cones hold the...
they will forage. they are bred to be eaters. they will do anything to eat, food is their crack cocaine. they live, breathe and dream about eating.
they would be content for you to pour the food and water down their throats for them, but they will get food any other way if they have to