RIR

[rigagirl]

last week we butchered 4 hens, i did what ever says on here let them rest 24 to 48 hrs. and i baked one tonight and it was tough. should i have not baked it? shake and bake maybe or just soup?

 

[Cyberous]

I say soup or pot pie.

Not a good eats bird in my opinion

but we should never waste either

Don

 

[Davaroo]

How old were they and had they been running freely prior to butchering?

 

[saddina]

Baking is dry heat, something you won't want to do with a bird that's not brined, or marinated. How old was the hen, what diet and exercize did it get before processing, these can all effect taste.

 

[rigagirl]

they are just over a yr old. it was late in the day when we go to them and i had they left in the run all day. so how about a pressure cooker.

 

[saddina]

Hmm 3 left? taco meat, coq au vin or enchladas, or really anything where you boil it. Basically you wanna wet cook it. Soup or Pot pie is good too.

 

[wohneli]

If you can brine for 24 hours it will add a lot of moisture to the bird. Did you leave the skin on - it will help keep the bird moist.
You can cook in a covered casserole dish to help keep some of the moisture in also.

 

[millerwb]

Quote:I would think that a pressure cooker would keep it moist as well.