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Chicken size

Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2016 12:20 pm
by Speed
I used to be able to find 4lb birds all the time but it seems anymore, the smallest I can find is high 5lbs and into the 6lb range. I like the smaller birds for comps, personally. Has anyone else noticed this?

Re: Chicken size

Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2016 12:36 pm
by k.a.m.
Yes the larger birds seem to be the norm here lately.

Re: Chicken size

Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2016 2:30 pm
by Finatic
You can find smaller birds if you go organic but there going to be in the $4/lb. range. I've compared the taste of these high priced smaller birds and there's not enough difference in flavor to offset the price difference (IMHO).

Re: Chicken size

Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2016 3:11 pm
by Okie Sawbones
We bemoaned the same turkey/chickens. But we found Costco sells chickens in the 4 lb. range, and our local grocery (not a chain) sells chickens under 4 lbs. The grocery chains use the small chickens to cook and sell in the deli.

Re: Chicken size

Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2016 3:39 pm
by OldUsedParts
there was both sizes at H.E.B. when I got my bigger bird - - - but I was looking for a larger one to try - - - :idea:

Re: Chicken size

Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2016 5:41 pm
by BigDave
4 pound yadbirds are almost a thing of the past unless you get natural or organic birds. I like Sanderson Farms and usually have to start looking at several stores a week before a competiton to find 4 pound birds. A trick is to talk with the meat manager at the grocery store and see what dates they receive whole chickens. That is the best time to find the smaller birds before they are sold.

Re: Chicken size

Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2016 5:43 pm
by erichasaces
How many chickens do you guys usually cook for a contest?

Re: Chicken size

Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2016 7:44 pm
by Speed
erichasaces wrote:How many chickens do you guys usually cook for a contest?


I used to only cook one. With the rules change in IBCA now where two halves must be turned in at all contests, I will start cooking two. Mainly because I like to turn in the same side of the chicken for both halves.

Re: Chicken size

Posted: Fri Mar 04, 2016 1:16 pm
by Finatic
Most of the time I only cook one bird. I'll usually only cook two if we want one for the freezer at the house.

Re: Chicken size

Posted: Wed Mar 09, 2016 10:45 am
by bruno994
I like cooking 2 five pounders. I'm sure I have really confused some folks as I sit there in HEB going through a cooler full of birds trying to find them as close to 5#'s as possible. lol