butchering my first hen

[PunkinPeep]

I've butchered a handful of chickens before now, but they've all been roosters or cockerels so far. Never a female.

Tomorrow, i'm planning to butcher one of my laying hens who has been injured.

She's 36 weeks old.

What should i expect in terms of toughness from a 36 week old free ranged buff orpington pullet/hen?

Will she be as tough as a male would be at that age?

Any tips, info, advice is greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[jaku]

I can't answer those questions for you, but one thing I will say is not to be shocked by the huge piles of "eggs" inside the body cavity. We butchered some layers last year, and it was the weirdest thing I've ever seen- from the first one, that has it's shell, to little BB sized ones, when you open the bird up, the cavity is FULL of eggs, and it's creepy.

 

[PunkinPeep]

Thanks for the headsup.