Actually, chickens are better cooked 275~325*...unless you like very dry chicken. Leg quarters are more forgiving, but that white meat will get dry with a long cooking time at a lower heat. It also helps to brine chickens prior to smoking. I have 10# of leg quarters and 2 racks of Baby back ribs inda smokehouse now....should be ready in another 1.5 hours. I just put the cowboy beans in the smokehouse to warm up and get a kiss of applewood smoke.