[sheridal]

One of our cockerels has discovered his vocal chords a couple of weeks ago, and although he wasn't really up to weight, the deed had to be done to allow us to have a decent nights sleep. This was the first time my DH has done it, but he was dispatched cleanly and the bird was hung for 2 days. After being cleaned and plucked, the skin had a slight green tinge and smelled of wet dog. Is this normal and just something to get used to, or have we hung it for too long. Also it was still stiff from rigor mortis, have read recent message on this topic, so thought it would have disappeared after hanging for 2 days.

Any advice for next time?

[muntjac]

you probably had the bird hung in to warm a place  but the tinge in the stomach skin is normal after its dressed out wash it out in running water allowing the water to come out of the neck position .chill then cook asap it will be fine

[sheridal]

Thanks for that Munty, it was just hung in the garage. Will cook it today and enjoy!!

[agapanthus]

This smell.....is how all chicken used to smell before intensive rearing!!We are so used to it not having any odour at all, so when we do get 'proper' chicken it's alien to us!!

[orfy]

I may need to read up an hanging chickens.
I'm not sure if/went I will need to prep a bird but I could do with knowing before.
I've read about dispatching and prepping.
Is there any info around on on ageing/hanging and the reasons/need for it.
I always thought a chicken wasn't like other game and should be eaten fresh.

[agapanthus]

I may need to read up an hanging chickens.
I'm not sure if/went I will need to prep a bird but I could do with knowing before.
I've read about dispatching and prepping.
Is there any info around on on ageing/hanging and the reasons/need for it.
I always thought a chicken wasn't like other game and should be eaten fresh.

Joined: 25 Feb 2007
Posts: 2123
Location: Scotland, in the middle of a building site!!!!! :-(
 Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2008 10:07 pm    Post subject:    

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It needs to be hung in the shed for longer. Apparently (so Muntjac tells me) there is a chemical reaction with the fibres of the meat, also the sinews that when the bird is hung up-side down all the blood goes to the head. As it cools rigor mortis sets in which stiffens the bird, but the chemical reaction is still happening. Which means the bird needs to go through this process without being chilled until the process is over......this could take 24hrs. Munty always hangs our birds for 24hrs and they do benefit ...taste-wise.....and he's never had a stiffy!!!

[orfy]

I can go with that.

I'll need to find some where. My shed is tiny. no go there!
My kitchen is also tiny and warm!

I don't think my neighbours will like dead chickens hanging around the garden. They already complained because one of their 10 year old daughters could see my pheasant hanging.

I'll have to have a think about it.

[sheridal]

Well we have eaten it, and thoroughly enjoyed it. It was a little bit on the gamey side, so next time we'll just leave it hanging for 24 hours.

Thanks for all your advice

[GrannieAnnie]

Sheridal, one question occurred to me, did you gut the chicken before or after hanging it?  Once gutted the chicken starts to deteriorate rapidly, so shouldn't be gutted until the last moment.

Also proper chicken doesn't taste like or have the same consistency as a shop chicken.

And Orfy, What about making a meat larder to hang in your garden long enough to take your poultry?  Then it would keep insects away and the neighbours kids wouldn't be able to see anything!   What a stupid thing to complain about eh?

[sheridal]

Thanks for the thoughts Grannie, but the chicken wasn't gutted until after it had been hung. Top be honest the smell for me wasn't that strong, but my sense of smell is atrocious. I think it is like mentioned early, just different to shop bought chicken, even if it is free range!!

Orfy, following on from Grannies point, have you got an old kitchen cupboard or something like that which you could put outside and hang the chicken in?

[sheridal]

Sorry, forgot to say that it is DH that has a keen sense of smell

[orfy]

And Orfy, What about making a meat larder to hang in your garden long enough to take your poultry?  Then it would keep insects away and the neighbours kids wouldn't be able to see anything!   What a stupid thing to complain about eh?

Thanks.

You saying you should hang them before gutting?

Any info or links on a meat larder?

I don't need one yet but I'm sure I will.

[Aunt Sally]

Any info or links on a meat larder?

My grannies one was made out of perforated zinc and fixed to the side of the house in the shade.