when cooking more than one chicken???

[funhouse8]

I was going to buy a large chicken but when I went to the store the smaller chickens were so much less a pound so I bought three 4lbs chickens. My questions is when cooking more than one chicken how much should I increase the cooking time & Temp.? I am not stuffing them. Thanks,Gina

 

[Kimberle]

You should really invest in a meat themometer. You can get a really good one for under $20. I insert mine into the meat (near the leg bone, but not touching it) before I put it in the oven. It has a thin cord that extends outside the oven to the part that tells the "degree's". I'd never cook a bird w/ bones w/out this. You just can't tell by looking at the bird if it is done all the way through and you don't want to risk undercooking.

 

[texasthumper]

Here's my opinion--others may have differing ones.

If your oven can accommodate all three birds comfortably, I would stick to the original temperature and times you are planning to use. Hot air will circulate around all three and each should cook "independently" if they are not crowded. There might be a slight delay at first while the oven adjusts to temp if the birds are cold. It would be a very good idea to shift them around in your oven after awhile so that they cook evenly. Check each one carefully after the recommended time. If they are not done then plan to cook them longer until they are fully cooked. Good luck!