Tough meat?

[Traveller 656]

Hello folks,
Im new to keeping chickens, but this year have incubated chickens as the mum got off the nest, Imhave bread them for eating they are Rhode Red rooster x leghorn and marans, we decided to dispatch our first yesterday and eat it, the flavour was great but it was chewy and tough, my birds are all free range and have been on growers pellets and sometimes layer pellets if they eat the other birds food. Why would the meat be tough? What am I doing wrong.

 

[Nigel27]

After you slaughter you need to age for three days in the fridge. You can brine it too, in salt water or meat tenderizer

 

[Traveller 656]

Ok thank you, I have had chickens before on the same day they were ok. If it was a rooster would that make a difference to the meat?

 

[Nigel27]

Many factors can affect the toughness, the breed, access to food, Type of food, free ranging, rooster or hen, and so on. I don’t have much personal experience, only what I’ve read.

 

[Pork Pie]

Hi and welcome to BYC. Personally, (with the exception of broilers) I use other chickens in stews which gives great flavour and the meat is tender. Chat with other BYC members nearby using the links in my signature, below (turn your phone to landscape to see them).Make yourself at home and enjoy the forums.

Best wishes

Pork Pie

 

[Perris]

hello @Traveller 656 - welcome to BYC

Why would the meat be tough?

I had the same issue first time, and I now realize it was rigor mortis. If the bird starts going into rigor before you get it cooked (and you'd have to process it fast to avoid that), you have to wait until it passes - 3 days usually (during which time you need to keep it in the fridge of course). It's the chemistry of death, the muscles go rigid (hence the name, rigor mortis).

 

[RebelEgger]

Hello from Nova Scotia and welcome to BYC! You’ve joined a great and resourceful community! Enjoy your journey!

 

[ariri30]

Also how old was the bird? Age has a lot to do to toughness I think

 

[DobieLover]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

Welcome to our FUNomenal Flock!
Pull up a roost & enjoy your time here!