Is rooster meat tough?

[MaLoTu]

I see some people eat their roosters or order, at a discount, chicks that end up being roosters for to eat. Is their meat different from a hens?

I may have a BO that is a rooster and living in the city there really isn't many options to give him away. Just wondering what eating it might be like ...

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

You can eat any bird - the age of the bird impacts the meat qualities and determines the best approach to preparing the meat to come out to an appetizing result. How old is your bird?

 

[MaLoTu]

The bird is about 5 weeks old. I am not 100% sure it is a roo yet, but it definitely has what looks like the start of wattles under the beak. The tail is also short and stumpy compared to the 3 other BO, I heard that is also an indication of a rooster early on.

 

[donrae]

If you process him around 4-5 months, he will be different than a grocery store chicken. Those birds are only 8 weeks, so the meat is very tender with little texture. Your bird will be fine for any moist cooking method. Crock pot, baked in a little liquid, simmered and the meat pulled for sandwiches, casseroles, soup, etc.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

If you process him around 4-5 months, he will be different than a grocery store chicken. Those birds are only 8 weeks, so the meat is very tender with little texture. Your bird will be fine for any moist cooking method. Crock pot, baked in a little liquid, simmered and the meat pulled for sandwiches, casseroles, soup, etc.

X 2

On the matter of gender, if you take and post photos of the bird we can help you with confirming your suspicions.

 

[MaLoTu]

I am having a tough time uploading, let's see if this works...

 

[MaLoTu]

Here is another pic ...

 

[MaLoTu]

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

I wouldn't warm up the soup pot just yet - this bird is not exactly screaming cockerel at the moment.

 

[MaLoTu]

The wattle area is much more pronounced than the others and the tail is much shorter ... but, like you said it is hard to tell! I am just thinking ahead. None of the refuges or historical parks in the area want another rooster. I am pretty sure that anyone who took a rooster off my hands would just butcher it anyway.

That second picture is so hilarious! I had to laugh when I seen it.

Thanks for your help!