Cooking old hens

[triggfamily5]

My problem is I must be doing something wrong in butchering/cooking. Last time I crocked an old hen, she was moist and falling of the bone, but I might as well been eating rubber.

I have about 10 I need to do this fall (some are about 3, some are 5+), any suggestions to make it better. DH is not too pleased with trying to eat rubber again. Let alone plucking them.

 

[mstricer]

Do you let them set for a few days. I put mine in a cooler with brined ice water for 48 hrs.

 

[turtlebird]

Here is a post about cooking your chickens that I found very helpful
http://www.albc-usa.org/documents/cookingwheritagechicken.pdf
How did you prepare yours? I, too, have several retiring laying hens this fall.

 

[triggfamily5]

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Nope, I just processed and froze. Took from freezer, thawed and put in crockpot.

I suppose that is what I did wrong.

 

[triggfamily5]

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Oh, I like that link.

I guess I need to figure out where I am going to set up something for aging chicken, as I don't have room in my refrigerator for more than one.....

 

[eKo_birdies]

Quote:
Oh, I like that link.

I guess I need to figure out where I am going to set up something for aging chicken, as I don't have room in my refrigerator for more than one.....

a big cooler full of ice water

 

[FarmGirl01]

Yeah, having room is a problem. I can get two hens in a 9 x 11 pan. The meat sits on a drain rack covered with moist towels. About 2 days of this and freeze or cook. Low and slow for an old bird.

 

[justbugged]

They need about 24 hours in the refrigerator to get past rigor. Then freeze the hen. Otherwise You can send them to auction if you have one nearby. Old stewing hen sell very well in my area. There are people of other cultures that prefer the older hens for stewing.

 

[chicken boy sam]

Yea, I bought one of those "old hens" as a laying hen from my local auction.....lol It's name is KFC!

 

[StupidBird]

turtlebird, thanks for the link. Good article. Explains why the chicken I ate in small town Germany was so very different!