Too tough?

[MamaJohnson]

My egg layers are now about 14 mo. old, and I'm making plans to clear them out to make room for new girls. But I worry that they will be too tough to eat. Any opinions on this? Is eating a chicken that's like 1.5 years old tough? If so, what would you do with 20 1.5 year old hens?

 

[HorseFeatherz NV]

I would eat those who are not laying and keep the layers.

This is a great article about cooking homegrown or heritage chickens (talks about age and best cooking method), it might be helpful.

www.albc-usa.org/documents/cookingwheritagechicken.pdf

 

[MamaJohnson]

Quote:
Very logical, true. My quandry has been wondering if I kept them until they stopped laying (approx. 2+ years), would I still be able to eat them? Or would I lose teeth trying? Much as I appreciate the eggs, I don't want to waste the meat opportunity, so decided I should probably cycle my flock periodically, replacing older birds with younger ones so that I have both meat and eggs. Does anyone have advice on how frequently they "cycle" their flock?

 

[sourland]

Crock pot, stew, chicken and dumplings- a myriad of ways to cook older chickens. Go to the cooking, recipes, etc. thread.

 

[blueskylen]

I personally will probably keep mine until they all keel over of old age, but then they are like pets to me.

I would think that an older chicken would be better fattened up a bit before processing and then used mostly for slow cooker or chopped fine as in chicken salad. Also, if you thought it was just too tough to eat, make chicken stock out of it and use the meat mixed in dog/cat food.

 

[dancingbear]

Quote:
Mine slow way down in the fall when they molt, then resume laying around Dec. I've had hens lay for years. I think my oldest layer was about 8 years old, when she died, on the nest box, while laying an egg. She'd been laying 4-5 eggs a week at that time. So if there are any that you particularly like, you might consider keeping them around, and see what happens. They don't all stop laying that young.

Older birds are harder to clean, because the bones are more solid, and connective tissues are much tougher. But any bird, if left in a crock pot, on low, long enough, will get tender. It might take a day or two, but be patient, they will get tender. Brining first, for a day or two, will help them a lot, so the meat doesn't get dry. I know it seems weird, but even in a slow cooker, an unbrined bird can get dry. Brining gets some sodium into the meat, which will help hold moisture in the meat, instead of cooking out.

The meat's great chopped for tacos, enchiladas, etc. And older birds have enough flavor that you can still taste the chicken, even with sauces and spices.

 

[wjallen05]

I am dreading this part of chicken-raising. We killed our first meat bird two days ago and it was no big deal. But I HATE the thought of killing and eating my beloved hens. I've become quite attached to them. I think we'll sell them (they are 15 months old now) once my replacement pullets begin laying. My daughter and I each have a favorite hen (and a couple close-second favorite hens LOL) so we'll probably keep them forever. *sigh*

 

[dancingbear]

My hens lay their biggest, best eggs, their 2nd and 3rd years. After that, the eggs are just as bigand nice, but they start to slow down. By slow down, I mean they may lay 4-5 eggs a week instead of 5-7. So if you don't want to kill them or get rid of them, you really don't have to. Just because a lot of people do, doesn't mean it's the only way to go. To me, getting rid of a layer any less than 5 years old is a waste. Maybe because mine free-range, that could make a difference in the overall health of the hens. I don't mind feeding them through the slow period (molt) of 8-12 weeks every year. That's really the only time they cost me money, the rest of the time, egg sales pay for the feed for them, and the roos we eat.

Right now I have around 34 or so active layers. I get between 22 and 32 eggs a day. Way more than we need, and more than I have customers for. I'm getting rid of a few hens now, just because I have too many.

 

[MamaJohnson]

Quote:
Wow, what a help! Thank you so much! I do love my hens, and they've done me proud, egg wise. They are just starting their second year, and you're right, they've just this spring started to really lay like I'd hoped they would. You've given me great hope. I think I'll hold on to them for another year, and then just weed them out as necessary. Thank you again. I've been greiving over this all week, trying to decide who should go first...

My girls free range on an acre, and hopefully will stay healthy and productive for as long as yours!

 

[dancingbear]

Cool, I'm glad that helps! I have no problem eating the roos, or other birds raised for meat, but like you, I'm fond of my layers. I was very happy when I found they continue to produce so well, for so long. I have a couple that are probably slowing way down now, but as long as it's just a couple, I don't care. They can stay on as retirees.