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Chicken sizes

Discussion in 'Meat Birds ETC' started by SandraMort, Jul 8, 2008.

Most Liked Posts
  1. Jul 8, 2008 #1
    SandraMort

    SandraMort Songster

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    What is the difference between fryer, broiler and roaster? I THINK roaster is biggest but fryer and broiler confuse me. Which is an all purpose size?

    And bigger than those is old and only for soup/stew, I guess? And smaller than that is... what?
     
  2. Jul 8, 2008 #2
    fullhouse

    fullhouse Songster

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    Smaller is a conish hen, big is roaster, medium is fryer.
     
  3. Jul 8, 2008 #3
    SandraMort

    SandraMort Songster

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    So... fryer/roaster is merely a breed specific thing, not the age/weight?
     
  4. Jul 8, 2008 #4
    SandraMort

    SandraMort Songster

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    If those terms are breed specific, what do you call an older-than-ideal bird for eating or a too-young bird? Do people eat those?
     
  5. Jul 8, 2008 #5
    greyfields

    greyfields Crowing

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    Broiler and roaster are interchangeable; both are cornish crosses.

    Fryers in some instances can be extraneous male cockrels for laying breeds (typically Leghorns). However, the industry seemingly now simply slaughters the cornish crosses at 2.5-3.0 lbs live weight and calls them "fryers". Same with a "Cornish Game Hen". If allowed to grow, it would become a broiler or roaster.
     

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