about chicken sold with giblets inside?

[SarahAndQuack]

I occasionally buy chickens from the farm shop (who get them from a supplier), and they used to come with the giblets in a little bag inside. My understanding is that this is perfectly legal, though a bit unusual these days, and I'm fine with it.

The last couple of times I've found they have the giblets, but loose inside. I'm not keen on this, because you have to root around to get them out, and because I find the chicken ends up tasting a bit 'gamey' if the giblets have been left in like this. I cooked a chicken today that I bought on Friday, and the use by date was the 10th. I think it would have tasted a bit rank by then TBH!

It's not super obvious from the packaging that the chickens have giblets inside, so you could easily not realise (if I'd realised I'd have taken them out on Friday as soon as I bought the chicken, but I forgot).

Am I being a bit fussy, or WIBU to mention to the farm shop and see if they can get their supplier to go back to putting the giblets in a bag instead of loose?

You want more plastic in the world?

You need a bit of a reality check I think.

In this case, yes I do, actually.

I did think about it, but on balance, I reckon it's probably better - loads of people must do what I do, and if you left the giblets in for a week you'd probably think the chicken was off and throw away the whole thing. That'd be a worse eco issue.

@Batfurger

You need a bit of a reality check I think.

Ok, why?

I'm not squeamish about giblets; I'm glad I can buy chickens with them in, but I don't want them sitting in the fridge for a week because I didn't know they were there to remove them.

I bought a chicken with giblets in and didn't realise. Cooked it. Was very glad it wasn't in a plastic bag. As it was it just gave the gravy a bit of body. 🤣
I can understand your preference but don't think it's worth trying to influence a change as there are pros and cons to both... Single user plastic being one.

If they are buying it in from a supplier, how do you know they are farm shop chicken. Go to your local butchers and ask them if they are local and to remove the giblets.

@TopCatsTopHat

I bought a chicken with giblets in and didn't realise. Cooked it. Was very glad it wasn't in a plastic bag. As it was it just gave the gravy a bit of body. 🤣 I can understand your preference but don't think it's worth trying to influence a change as there are pros and cons to both... Single user plastic being one.

That's a point!

@Newfluff

If they are buying it in from a supplier, how do you know they are farm shop chicken. Go to your local butchers and ask them if they are local and to remove the giblets.

How do you mean? Is 'farm shop chicken' a thing? If so, I've no idea if they are or they aren't - I just know they're sold in the farm shop, and I know the supplier (which is Loose Birds, who say on their website that their chickens come with giblets, but it's not obvious on the packaging).

My butcher doesn't sell particularly good quality chicken, unfortunately - they're more of a pork butcher and they do lovely meat, but I wouldn't bother with their chickens.

Check the chicken when you buy it rather than leaving it until you cook it.

My dogs love to get the giblets when I buy a chicken from the butcher

Yanbu.

@AdoraBell

Check the chicken when you buy it rather than leaving it until you cook it.

My dogs love to get the giblets when I buy a chicken from the butcher

I guess so, but isn't it a bit unhygienic to get it out of the packaging then have it sitting in the fridge for days? Or am I being overly influenced by all that supermarket packaging that has 'once open, consumed within ...' advice on raw meat?

I think you could put the giblets into a bag or pot, or freeze them.

Giblets make the best gravy

I love chicken livers wrapped in bacon. I was sad when it stopped been the norm to get them in every chicken. It's good that they're not in plastic and I really can't imagine it having any detrimental effect on the taste of the roast chicken.

Are the giblets the insides of the chicken? Then I don't get the problem as they have been in the chicken since it was born. I'm probably missing something sorry.

I think it would be a good idea if with or without giblets was indicated on the packaging.

I was rather sorry when including giblets with the bird stopped being a standard thing, as I used to cook them with herbs etc to make stock for the gravy. I used to freeze the livers until I had enough to make some pâté.

I'd be super pleased. Nice gravey to go with my chicken x

'but isn't it a bit unhygienic to get it out of the packaging then have it sitting in the fridge for days? Or am I being overly influenced by all that supermarket packaging that has 'once open, consumed within ...' advice on raw meat?'

It depends on the packaging. If it is packaged in' a protective atmosphere' then the wrapping contains a gas (usually nitrogen I think) which lacks oxygen and this does extend the shelf life as the pathogenic bacteria can't multiply so well. If it is just wrapped up then it would make no difference whether you opened the packet checked it and wrapped it back up (wash your hands of course). A lot of supermarket stuff is atmosphere controlled so that's why opening the wrap brings the use by date forward.
So you could ask if the wrapping is atmosphere controlled... Then you would know if it makes a difference you opening to check or not. Suspect if the packet doesn't state the use by changes if opened its probably not.

I always season my chicken as soon as I get it home. The marinade flavours the chicken and I place cling film over it to seal in the delicious onion, vinegar, garlic and herbs smell. I wouldn’t keep it more than two days before cooking.

@CowsAreNotGreen

Are the giblets the insides of the chicken? Then I don't get the problem as they have been in the chicken since it was born. I'm probably missing something sorry.

Leaving organs attached to meat makes it go bad quicker. This is definitely true for digestive organs and genitals, not sure about the kind of organs you get as giblets (kidneys etc).

Take the giblets out on day one and make stock with them. Repackage the chicken ( you get nice big glass pyrex casserole dishes with lids that are good for this. Cook chicken within three days (farm shop chicken never lasts as well as supermarket) then use the giblets stock to make gravy.

Less plastic is generally good. Now you know, you know how they do it. Most people who buy chicken with giblets know they need used pretty much instantly.

@FudgeSundae thank you that makes sense.

@DartmoorChef

Giblets make the best gravy

I know. I like giblets. But I wouldn't eat them if they'd been around for a week; they decompose more quickly than meat.

@Ofcourseinamechangedforthisyou

Take the giblets out on day one and make stock with them. Repackage the chicken ( you get nice big glass pyrex casserole dishes with lids that are good for this. Cook chicken within three days (farm shop chicken never lasts as well as supermarket) then use the giblets stock to make gravy.

Less plastic is generally good. Now you know, you know how they do it. Most people who buy chicken with giblets know they need used pretty much instantly.

I know giblets need using instantly, too. That's why I am bothered by them being included, unwrapped (so you can't just go 'oops, they included the giblets and didn't say so, well, I'll have to chuck the sealed bag), and without obvious labelling.

I like the idea of a pyrex dish. I've not had any issue with these chickens needing to be used quicker than any others before - why do you think that would be? They come labelled up with use-by dates, and they're usually good long ones. When I've bought them before, I've tended to think they're fresher than what I'd but elsewhere.

@FudgeSundae - well, the liver surely will make it go off faster?

I would be bothered if it were just the neck or the internal fat TBH.