Hens or roosters?

[RicksKickinChicken]

Is there any difference between hens and roosters as far as meat goes? which is better to eat

 

[KellyHM]

They taste the same but the boys get bigger faster.

 

[Chicken411]

Quote:
As long as you don't let the roosters get too old that is. I don't have any experience with it, but apparently when the testosterone kicks in the bird doesn't taste as good. Someone else who has more experience can maybe explain better.

 

[petrelline]

I've never noticed any difference in taste when the testosterone kicks in. There are bigger testicles inside, of course. And hens can be weird to eviscerate if you're not used to the innards. But mostly the roosters are just larger.

 

[dancingbear]

With DP's, the roo's get bigger, but the hens get more fat. I've never noticed any change in taste from testosterone. Older birds always have more flavor, though, than young ones. Young ones are more tender for quick cooking; for older ones, you need long and slow, low-temp cooking.

With broilers, you process them so young, you might not notice which is which, but the males do tend to get bigger. When I ordered them a long time ago, I ordered all males, so I don't know what the females innards look like at that age. The ones I have now, all the ones I've butchered so far have been male, but I'm sure there are a few pullets in there. So I'll find out as soon as I process them.