How old is too old?

[2dancingrats]

My one year old Auracana roo has been voted out of the hen-house. Would like to invite him to dinner, but want to if he wil be too tough to eat. This is one mean womanizing roo but the end of his life should have some meaning.

 

[uhuh555]

We process our layers when they get 4-5 years old. Letting them age for 4-5 days bathing in lemon juice with kosher salt (1 cup per gallon of juice) in the refrigerator. Then off to freezer camp or steamer.

 

[Lollipop]

At one year he will be fine. He won`t be as tender as the store bought stuff that is butchered at about 2 mos, but he`ll be great. Just cook him a little longer..........Pop

 

[theoldchick]

A pressure cooker works wonders on tough young or old roosters!

 

[Ridgerunner]

You might be interested in this link.

Cooking Heritage Chickens
http://www.albc-usa.org/documents/cookingwheritagechicken.pdf

The secret to cooking an older chicken is to cook it long and slow. The water should simmer, not boil. Crock pot recipes are great. With older chickens we usually make chicken broth. Cook the chicken including neck, back, and feet in plenty of water (think 3 to 4 pints, make sure the parts are covered.) with whatever veggies (celery, carrots, and onions as a minimum) and herbs you want for a long time at a slow simmer for maybe three to four hours. Skim the fat off the liquid and you have some fabulous chicken broth. Then pick the meat off the bones and make chicken tacos, chicken salad, chicken and pasta, many other possible uses for the meat.

 

[u8sushi]

pot pie, soup or any long cooking method will be fine. Coq au Vin Recipe : Alton Brown : Food Network
Food Network invites you to try this Coq au Vin recipe from Alton Brown.

www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/coq-au-vin-re...

 

[ElioraImmanuel]

Ooooh, now I'm hungry!

 

[2dancingrats]

Thank you everyone for alll your replies. I'm definitely going to have someone else "do the deed", sure wish I could invite all of you to join us for supper!