Culling cockerels

[RubySue]

I did the same my first year. Had a free range Cx the size of a small turkey. Almost completely inedible (Didn't rest it but 24 hours, and baked it). Basically,I made almost every mistake that could be made, but I learned quickly!

So at what age would a hen be most tender? Is it the same? So if you use them for layers then have to cull and they are old they have to be slow cooked? I have 2 Wyandottes, 1 EE, and 1 Barred Rock. I am getting 4 sex links and 2 Brahmas this spring.

 

[Sally PB]

You did right by them.

 

[RubySue]

You did right by them.

Thanks, that means a lot

 

[U_Stormcrow]

So at what age would a hen be most tender? Is it the same? So if you use them for layers then have to cull and they are old they have to be slow cooked? I have 2 Wyandottes, 1 EE, and 1 Barred Rock. I am getting 4 sex links and 2 Brahmas this spring.

8-16 weeks is the age for me. Anything after that (and I've eaten a LOT ofter that) is either crock potted, pressure cooked, or ground.

 

[3KillerBs]

So at what age would a hen be most tender? Is it the same? So if you use them for layers then have to cull and they are old they have to be slow cooked? I have 2 Wyandottes, 1 EE, and 1 Barred Rock. I am getting 4 sex links and 2 Brahmas this spring.

If you ever see a chicken in the grocery store marked as a "stew hen" that's a retired layer (or possibly a retired Cornish X parent-line hen).

The crockpot is the best place for them and you will be amazed at how delicious your chicken and dumplings are.

 

[FunClucks]

If you ever see a chicken in the grocery store marked as a "stew hen" that's a retired layer (or possibly a retired Cornish X parent-line hen).

The crockpot is the best place for them and you will be amazed at how delicious your chicken and dumplings are.

I bought one of those once, and tried to roast it in the oven. Worst idea ever! That hen was so tough we didn't want to eat it. I ended up throwing the whole chicken in a stew pot, and made stew from it instead. Messed up my dinner plans, and I've avoided buying those ever since, mainly because of the high amount of sodium and flavoring they put into it. I had no idea those were supposed to be sold for stew meat or the crock pot.

 

[3KillerBs]

I've avoided buying those ever since, mainly because of the high amount of sodium and flavoring they put into it.

I've never seen a stew hen sold with any additives in it. I HATE the way so much meat is soaked in garbage -- selling salt water for the price of meat.

Stew hens have gotten hard to find anymore because most people don't know how to cook them properly.

 

[FunClucks]

I've never seen a stew hen sold with any additives in it. I HATE the way so much meat is soaked in garbage -- selling salt water for the price of meat.

Drives me nuts too! And I always taste it! I could tell you which producer produced which chickens by the flavoring they add to the meat. So tired of that! And the best tasting ones (least additives/flavoring, whatever they call it) are of course the priciest.

Stew hens have gotten hard to find anymore because most people don't know how to cook them properly.

A little direction on the label would have gone a long way for me - I would've read it and followed it. I just had no idea what I'd purchased or why it was less expensive per pound than the standard broiler chicken next to it in the display case.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

After my rooster gets the best life possible, I use an ax and stump method. (when the heart stops, there is not much blood. It is not like the movies.) After they are still, I remove the skin like a jacket, no plucking. I separate the legs/thighs, and remove the breast bone from the body. I toss the rest. (no messing with guts.) I do save the heart and the liver for my dog. (I actually boil the legs and the breast for my dog as well.)

Do you eat any of it or just use the broth?

 

[CNJ]

Thanks for the tip. Sounds like pressure cooker soup may be best.

I use the medium soup selection on my automatic pressure cooker and it comes out soft. I don't use the canning selection.