Is my rooster good to eat?

[jubylives]

I have a RI roo and he needs to go. So I decided I will grill him. Is he gonna be a good meat bird or at least decent? I helped butcher chickens when I was younger but never was involved in the gutting. Any resource or guidance in this part? I've was a meat cutter for years so I have an idea but I'd rather have better then an idea.

Thanks Jeremy

 

[picklespickles]

well, if you've been a meat cutter then you will know better than i did the first time i did it. i just cut off his head, let him bleed a few minutes hanging upside down from a tree, then cut off the rest of the pertinent parts, skinned (some people pluck), removed his innards, cleaned him up a bit and there you are.

it might be a little tougher than what you are used to at the store, as he will probably be a little older and may have had more excercise. the flavor will probably be great, though. i cook slower and on less high temp than from the store, personally.

 

[jubylives]

So the goods on the inside are easy to get out? I've cleaned out cattle, pigs and fish. Maybe it's that fact it's a bird that has me nervous plus I like the roo but he does need to go.

 

[TxChiknRanchers]

Like any other animal try and not burst the intestines or cut them. it will be tough if you do.
other than that its no biggee. Even if you do cut the intestines it will only be hard on you the meat will be fine because i'm sure you will clean it anyway. good eating!

 

[picklespickles]

i really don't think you'll have any problem. really, i did it the first time just from figuring it out. not joking when i say you'll be ten times better at it than me.

 

[silkiechicken]

Don't forget to age him if you ever plan to get your teeth into it! Over night in the fridge should be fine.

 

[jubylives]

Quote:
Thanks. I was wondering about that as we always let our cattle age for a week or two when I was meat cutting. I'm trying to give him away first so hopefully someone will take him. He is quite the character and is good to the hens.

Jeremy

 

[greyfields]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coq_au_vin

 

[BirdBrain]

Here are some links that will probably only serve to confirm what you already know, but I thought I would throw them out there any way.

http://butcherachicken.blogspot.com/

http://www.backwoodshome.com/articles2/grim79.html

 

[Barnyard Dawg]

We will wash the intestines with a salt and olive oil solution to clean them. We like our roosters when they are around 6 months old.