I meant how they came from the processin' plant. More like 18" long. I think keepin' ' em big lets ' em keep their moisture. Small stuff gits dried out over open fire. I used to cut ' em up an fry them quick, but they' re easy to ruin. I started keepin' the meat big in my dutch oven too. 6" hunks browned then cooked slow over rice in a dutch oven really beats the fryin' pan thing. Bigger really is better!