How old is too old?

[JohnDeereCracker]

I have a nine month old Barred rock roo that needs to go. Is he too old for grilling, smoking, rotisserie? I do not want to just use him for soup or stew. But I was told that he would be too tough for the rotisserie, Thanks,
Chris

 

[Kim_NC]

I wouldn't grill, smoke or rotisserie a bird that age. But soup or stew are not the only options. I also use these for older birds....

- coq au vin (chicken in wine)
- chicken picatta - or any other recipe calling for boneless meat, pounded thin
- ground chicken
- meatpie

 

[gkeesling]

sorry. He's to old for the things you want to use him for. He will be very tough. I've tried it and wasted the chicken. we use our culled chickens that are that age, or older, for chicken and noodle chickens.

 

[petrelline]

Crock pot him for a day or more, shred the meat and make burritos. He's just too old for any kind of dry cooking.

 

[JohnDeereCracker]

Thanks, that is what I thought but was hoping different

. I will probably just cut him up and freeze it for soup and such, thanks again.
for future reference how old is good for "dry cooking"? maybe I can get one of the next batch on the rotisserie

 

[hencackle]

I'd suggest Coq au Vin, a recipe tailor-made for roosters, hence the name.

 

[Kim_NC]

We like 16 weeks for dry cooking. Most DP roos will be about 3 lbs at that age.

 

[dancingbear]

Quote:
Let him age in the fridge a few days before you freeze him. I eat older birds all the time, the crock pot is my friend. I mostly make burritos, tacos, and enchiladas, but you can use the meat a million ways. I almost never make soup.

 

[JohnDeereCracker]

great, thanks guys