Culling cockerels

[CNJ]

I'm looking at possibly having to cull a 8-12 month production red/RIR red mix cockerel/rooster, so I'm in a similar position. Would pressure cooking (canning) make the meat tender enough to eat? I'd use it for shredded chicken tacos.

Old chicken hold up better and doesn't dry out like young chicken in soups and stews. Yes, they become tender in a pressure or slow cooker and the meat falls off of the bone.

 

[RubySue]

Have you decided on a dispatch method?

I’ll be using a kill cone and plan to use a very sharp filet knife to cut the artery and bleed them out.

 

[RubySue]

Sharp sharp sharp knife.

Different ages are cooked differently, or it's like eating rubber bands lol

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So these are still at fryer age? But may still be tough.

 

[Molpet]

So these are still at fryer age? But may still be tough.

They will not be tender like CX from the grocery store. The meat will be firmer.
I usually roast anyway.

 

[RubySue]

I'm looking at possibly having to cull a 8-12 month production red/RIR red mix cockerel/rooster, so I'm in a similar position. Would pressure cooking (canning) make the meat tender enough to eat? I'd use it for shredded chicken tacos.

I do have a pressure cooker that’s a good idea.

Rest them longer. 3 days. I would not fry at 18 weeks. There is going to be a lot of chew, particularly if their hormones have come in.

Thanks will do! The BL is the one with hormones kicking in. But the EE was slow maturing but much more bigger. Biggest bird I have.

 

[RubySue]

Sharp sharp sharp knife.

Different ages are cooked differently, or it's like eating rubber bands lol

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I always thought the older they were the tougher. So technically next time I should cull a rooster super early to roast but they won’t lend much meat?

 

[JacinLarkwell]

I always thought the older they were the tougher. So technically next time I should cull a rooster super early to roast but they won’t lend much meat?

Yep.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

I always thought the older they were the tougher. So technically next time I should cull a rooster super early to roast but they won’t lend much meat?

Exactly that. Which is part of why the Cx has been purpose bred to an unhealthy growth rate. Because their purpose is not to live to maturity.

 

[Molpet]

I always thought the older they were the tougher. So technically next time I should cull a rooster super early to roast but they won’t lend much meat?

Super early to fry

 

[RubySue]

Exactly that. Which is part of why the Cx has been purpose bred to an unhealthy growth rate. Because their purpose is not to live to maturity.

I waited to fatten them up a bit lol. Good to know. Have 6 more planned for the spring. This time I chose sex link on 4 of them bc my sexing ratio wasn’t too great my first time.