eating older laying chickens

[southpaw2022]

Is this ok to do with a chicken that doesn't lay anymore or is not a good layer anymore...say a 2-3 yr old chicken?

Would it be good in a Chicken Stew??

Thanks

 

[FLOWERPOT]

Thats what I think most people do with them. The meat is tough, so a stew or dumplings is the best way to go.

 

[southpaw2022]

anyone know of any good recipes for a good chicken stew?

 

[mtnhomechick]

Cut up the chicken and put it in a dutch oven with a can of tomato soup and some olive oil. Cook on low for a couple hours and then add whole potato's....peeled.......whole carrots and onion....garlic.....salt pepper......cook til done. About another hour or so. Delicious and easy tomatoe chicken stew with a wonderful tomato gravy.

 

[steveo]

I butchered one of my older layers and cooked it in the crock pot. After the meat was cooked I removed it all from the bone and made a nice chicken soup. The meat was very tender afer being cooked in the crock pot. Just do a google search for chicken noodle soup and you will get tons of recipes.

 

[the_great_snag]

Yeah as long as they are hens they should be fine at any reasonable age.

Just cook it until the fibers of the meat break down a bit. I think chopping it up after cook also helps to alleviate the toughness.

Old roosters are a different story... I would use them for cat food.

 

[skeeter]

Quote:
oh what a waste

 

[large1]

Roosters have some very good tasting meat even if very tough. You just gotta cook it till it gives up the fight. Makes for good soup or fricassee. Much better than a store bought taste free frankenchicken.

 

[southpaw2022]

ok then... how about this....
Is there any reasons why not to eat your Hen after its laying days are done? Any signs to look for????

 

[Steve_of_sandspoultry]

none at all, if it's a healthy bird eat away.

On another note for cooking them, we use a pressure cooker. 15 minutes and it's falling off the bone tender then we bag and freeze the meat for later. It's great for enchilades (sp) etc and makes a quick and easy dinner. Also you can do a stir fry with the meat. With the quick high heat and slice it thin it's nice and tender.

Steve in NC