Fermenting Feed for Meat Birds

[Brada Puhi]

Aloha Kalikimaka or Mele Kalikimaka!

 

[Brada Puhi]

Aloha,

Last time I ate my roosters, they were really tough. Some people say thatʻs part of the rigor mortis. I always hear of people putting them in the freezer. Do they ever eat one right away? Does the meat come out tough? Do you have to refrigerate it for a day?

Mahalo for any replies.

Puhi.

 

[Beekissed]

Aloha,

Last time I ate my roosters, they were really tough. Some people say thatʻs part of the rigor mortis. I always hear of people putting them in the freezer. Do they ever eat one right away? Does the meat come out tough? Do you have to refrigerate it for a day?

Mahalo for any replies.

Puhi.

They are usually more tender if killed around 4-5 mo. of age and I've had them remain tender even to 6 mo. of age, depending on how you cook them. I've marinated and BBQ'd some 6 mo. roos that were as tender as all get out and were a hit at a party. But..ordinarily, if you want a tender rooster he needs to be killed between 3-5 mo. of age.

If older roosters, you can get a more tender bird if you use a pressure cooker. I can all my older birds into the jar with the use of a pressure canner and they all come out the same level of tenderness....extremely tender and flavorful. Older birds have a deeper flavor profile, so there is something to be said for older hens and roosters as a meat choice...the only thing is that darn tenderness vs. tough thingy.

 

[BCMaraniac]

Aloha,

Last time I ate my roosters, they were really tough. Some people say thatʻs part of the rigor mortis. I always hear of people putting them in the freezer. Do they ever eat one right away? Does the meat come out tough? Do you have to refrigerate it for a day?

Mahalo for any replies.

Puhi.

Rigor Mortis sets in within about an hour after death, and takes about 48-72 hours to pass. Most people will butcher their roosters between 16-24 weeks to avoid the naturally occurring toughness and stringiness that results from testosterone levels and male behavior(chasing hens and fighting with other roosters). So, most folks will process their young roos, let them rest in the fridge for about 3 days, then cook or freeze. Usually slow moist heat is the best way to prepare them. I have heard some folks butcher and immediately freeze, others rest then freeze. I guess the only way to know which is best is to butcher, freeze some, rest some then freeze, and then take one of each out of the freezer and prepare them identically. I don't know which way is best, because I haven't done the head to head taste testing.

 

[Beekissed]

Gonna bake some homemade oatmeal and some chocolate chip cookies today!

I haven't baked homemade cookies since I was a teenager, believe it or not. I'm just not a cookie woman but I got the taste for and the mood for cookies all the sudden so today the house will smell marvelous and I can give away some cookies tomorrow to the fam. IF they survive my taste testing for quality assurance, of course......

Think I'll do some chicken soup while I'm at it...it's just that kind of a day.

Hope you all are warm, well fed and joyful for this holiday season...stay safe and give love in abundance!

Here TW....something to tempt you.....


And to all.....my wish for your holiday season and for the coming year!

“The Lord bless you and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.”’ Numbers 6:24-26

 

[Lacy Blues]

Yes, a most sincere and heart felt Merry Christmas to you all. I agree, this thread is the most fun of them all. Be careful out in that weather.

 

[Lacy Blues]

Here's a traditional Christmas song done for worship. Chris Tomlin in O Holy Night.

Enjoy!

 

[ChocolateMouse]

Shellz, I have been shooting a longbow for ten years and I still stink. Never put in any hardcore practice though, just shot now and again. Back when I shot every day I could hit the target pretty well at 30 yards. Not so much anymore.

Today is insanely busy for me. I am making Christmas cookies for all my friends! This is my cheap, if strenuous, way to give a present to all my friends. They work so hard with me all year long and do so much from helping me build coops and cages to just picking me up when I am down... So I need to thank them all with a gift and this is a good way to do it. But it means I'll be keeping busy today!

I may not "see" you all until post Christmas, and maybe even post my birthday and then post new years, so...

Merry Christmas guys! Thanks for being the best thread ever!

 

[BCMaraniac]

Here's a traditional Christmas song done for worship. Chris Tomlin in O Holy Night.

Enjoy!

Beautiful! I love that song! Here is another version that I like too......a solo version that is quite powerful:

 

[Lacy Blues]

Thank you BCM. I went and listened and you're right. Its quite powerful. Thanks for sharing!