Choosing a chicken for comp

[Scott P]

I'm curious to see what chickens folks are buying for competitions. I know to go for the ones not packed in a solution. My main question is in regards to size. How big or small of a bird are you buying? I look for birds in the four pound range, but have only cooked in one competition. I've got the brine, rub and sauce down, I just need to pick out the meat.

[PaulWhita]

I have a hard time finding birds under 5 pounds. Last one I turned in was 5.6# and I had a hard time getting the box to close.

[Swamp Donkeyz BBQ]

We get ours at HEB and usually go for 4.5-5 pounds.

[bruno994]

I'm with Swamp, I like the HEB birds. My time frame is worked around a 4.5 to 4.75 pound bird, with a max of 5. I know I can comfortably cook this size bird to be done on time for turn ins, not to mention being able to fit inside the turn in box.

[3 star redneck]

I'm with Swamp, I like the HEB birds. My time frame is worked around a 4.5 to 4.75 pound bird, with a max of 5. I know I can comfortably cook this size bird to be done on time for turn ins, not to mention being able to fit inside the turn in box.

+1

[Speed]

I've had great luck with Brookshires brand chickens in the 3.75-4.5lb range. I wont cook anything larger than that unless I have too. HEB or Sandersons would be my second choice.

[js-tx]

I look for a 4.5-5lb HEB all natural bird. They seem to be fresher and "cleaner" than the others.

[k.a.m.]

HEB birds for sure. I have been cooking 4.5 to 5.0 birds but have been practicing some with birds in the 5.0 to 5.5 range we will see if it works out.

[TXLNGHRN]

One more for HEB

[RLTXBBQ]

Another vote for hebutt

[Scott P]

I grabbed two HEB natural birds, one at 3.7 lbs and one at 3.4 lbs. The air chilled ones were twice the price. I usually use Sanderson ones, but thought I'd go with smaller ones this time.

[bruno994]

Uh-oh, KAM's been practicing...

[k.a.m.]

Uh-oh, KAM's been practicing...

Well a mans gotta eat ya know.

[BigDave]

I prefer the no anti biotic, no injection birds. these birds will be smaller and more flavorful than those "roastin" birds called fryers now. I prefer a 4 pound bird and can usually get within a tenth of a pound.

Now if'n i aint using the "natural" birds, i prefer Sanderson Farms birds and they are large just like all the other brands. I start lookin a week before comps and can usually get them right at 4 to 4.3 pounds after goin to at least 4 stores! Askin the meat dept mgr to hold the size bird ya want helps sometimes. But most birds now are 5 pound plus so findin 4 pounders can be a challenge at times if the natural birds are not available.

I usually cook 2 birds per comp. Turn in the best half/halves and eat the others fer lunch or freeze for another day.

[JMoney7269]

4.75-no larger than 5. I look for the short squatty ones with big breasts