whole chicken vs pieces cooking times&capacity

[Guest]

can anyone explain why there is often such a difference in cooking times on charts for chicken when it comes to pieces vs a whole butterflied chicken? also, if I load my weber smoker to the brim with chicken pieces (I'm talking 60 to 80 thighs and drumsticks, no white meat, on 5 grates stacked or in racks--I've done it several times before), once the cooker temp gets back to 230-260, need I allow more cooking time? Thanks

 

[Jim Minion]

Because of the volume of meat you may have to allow more time, but don't go by time go by the internal temp of the meat 185?.
Jim