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Ask Willie Barber > Chicken Questions
With extensive knowledge and experience, Willie and her team are an invaluable cooking resource. They are uniquely qualified to answer any questions you may have about meat, Tyson products or the kitchen.
Chicken Questions
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What are chickens fed? |
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A typical poultry diet is made up primarily of grain such as corn, grain sorghum and/or wheat. Vitamins and minerals are added to meet the bird's nutritional need for efficient growth. To help the birds fight various diseases, food additives are also included in their diet. These food additives are approved and strictly regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. Antibiotic use is supervised by a veterinarian, under the regulatory authority of the FDA and/or USDA. Hormones, steroids or other harmful chemicals are never used to enhance the growth of our chickens. There are no hormones or steroids approved or available for use in poultry feeds at this time. |
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Are chickens kept in little coops? |
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No. Tyson chickens are grown on farms located in areas ideal for poultry raising, with clean air and water and moderate temperatures. All grow-out houses are single level and the birds are allowed to roam free on the floor of these houses. Our grow-out houses average 40 feet wide and 400 feet long. The houses are equipped with automatic misters to cool the chickens in the summer, and gas heating for cooler weather. Automatic equipment provides clean water and nutritious feed for the birds at all times. |
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How do I know if a chicken is fresh? |
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Check the "Sell By Date" on the package. This date indicates the last date the chicken should be offered for sale. Chicken meat should have no detectable odor and the flesh should feel firm; the skin should not feel slick. |
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How should chicken be stored? |
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Fresh poultry should be refrigerated in its original wrapper in the coldest part of the refrigerator. Place on a plate to prevent dripping onto other foods. We suggest that you freeze it immediately if it's not to be cooked within two days. |
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How do I thaw chicken? |
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Chicken should be thawed in the refrigerator, still wrapped in its original packaging. Allow a minimum of 16-24 hours to defrost a whole uncut chicken, and at least six hours to defrost chicken parts. It is a good idea to place frozen chicken on a plate in order to prevent any liquid from dripping onto other foods. |
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How do I quick-thaw chicken? |
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Use the defrost or medium-low setting of a microwave, according to the manufacturer's directions. Rotate chicken and separate parts as they begin to thaw, taking care that the chicken does not begin to cook. Or, thaw in cold water, leaving chicken in original package or water-tight plastic bag. Change water often. Whole chicken should take about 1 1/2 hours. |
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What is the shelf life of chicken after being frozen? |
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Whole birds may be frozen for up to one year; parts may be frozen for up to nine months. Quality may deteriorate after this time. |
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How do I cook this whole chicken? |
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Salt and pepper to taste. Bake 20 minutes per pound or until internal temperatures reaches 180 degrees. |
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Why aren't giblets in a bag? |
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Tyson research found that the internal temperature is lowered faster without the paper bag, which acts as a barrier. This minimizes the opportunity for microbial growth. |
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How do I read the production code for frozen products? |
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Tyson uses the Julian Calendar in its production codes. The following example shows our form:
| Example product code: 2273PLA0114 |
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What it means:
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| 227 |
indicates the Julian date or August 15 |
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3
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indicates the year designation or 2003 |
| PLA |
indicates the Tyson plant designation |
| 01 |
indicates the production line number |
| 14 |
indicates the military hour of production |
Abbreviated codes may be found on some inner cartons or bags due to equipment limitations. The Julian date and year will always be found in the same sequence.
Our frozen items have a shelf life of one year after production. Because freezing keeps food safe almost indefinitely, recommended storage times are for quality only.
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What causes moisture in the package of chicken? |
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This "weepage" can be a combination of natural juices exuded by chicken and some absorbed water that drains out of the meat. During processing, chickens are rapidly chilled in icy water to controll microbial growth. Like all meat tissue, chicken is hydroscopic and will absorb some water.
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Low in Fat and Calories
Chicken provides the complete protein you require daily. You can reduce the fat content of chicken even further by removing the skin. To avoid adding fat to chicken, use cooking methods such as stir-frying, grilling and broiling that require little or no fat. Another option is to use low-fat liquids in place of oil for cooking.
Premium Protein
Our bodies require protein, and because protein can't be stored by the body, we need a new supply every day. Chicken is an ideal source of protein because it is lower in calories than most other meats.
Glossary of Terms
Convenience and Variety
Your supermarket meat department offers Tyson fresh chicken in a wide variety of packages. For example, you can purchase mixed cut-up parts, all white meat, all dark meat, or boneless, skinless parts, as well as whole chickens. If your time is limited, you'll find that chicken parts, particularly boneless parts, cook the fastest. In fact, you can prepare many chicken dishes in 30 minutes or less! Chicken is a versatile meal choice. It can be featured as the main entree, included in a side dish, served for lunch as a salad, substituted for other proteins in a breakfast omelet or served as a nutritious snack.
Safety and Quality
All chicken sold in supermarkets is government-inspected for wholesomeness. The Tyson® brand is a further assurance of quality. We ensure the premium quality of our products by going far beyond the required inspection standards. Our chickens must pass 90 different inspections before they are given the Tyson® seal of approval. Our chickens have a head start on quality even before they're hatched. They're grown from our own specially-developed breeder stock and raised on high quality feed we produce to meet all their nutritional needs. We use the same high quality chicken in our Tyson chicken as we do in our value-added, prepared Tyson products.
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