When is it too late to cull before they get too tough?

[lilmarie84]

I have a BO rooster that has to go! He is 25 weeks old. I had every intention to keep him but he started to get a bit mean and being he was young I tried to work with him and it looked like it was working for a couple of months but then he last week he attacked me which not that bad but still it had me concerned. But my absolute last straw was yesterday when he drew blood on my daughter now don't get me wrong she is tough and can handle herself she has never backed down from him when he would try her. She is the only reason he is still around in the first place but when he had her in tears and scratches that broke skin I had it He is going on the dinner table either way I'm just trying to figure out which way he is getting cooked.

 

[junebuggena]

They are never too old, you just have to adapt your cooking methods. Even a three year old bird can be tender and delicious, if cooked properly.
Generally, at about 4 months of age is when they really start to toughen up, so your guy is probably best done in the crockpot.

 

[Molpet]

I do roasters at 6-9 months.. just cook him at a low temp and moist... I use the old enamel roasters at 325f-350f until the joint is loose

 

[Mary's Backyard Chickens]

I do roasters at 6-9 months.. just cook him at a low temp and moist... I use the old enamel roasters at 325f-350f until the joint is loose

x2

 

[sourland]

Crockpot, coq au vin, chicken stew - anything g slow cooked at low temp for long period of time. Great decision. Kids come first and nasty roosters lose.

 

[lilmarie84]

Okay I wanting to roast him in the oven. Will that work?

 

[cottontail farm]

http://eat.at/swap/forum1/30475_REC__French_Casserole_Chicken
From The Joy of Cooking. My favorite way to cook an older bird. You're going to want wine and a lot of buttered bread to mop up the sauce. It's amazing

 

[Molpet]

Okay I wanting to roast him in the oven. Will that work?

yes

 

[lilmarie84]

Great decision. Kids come first and nasty roosters lose.

thank you for the words of encouragement lol I really hate that has come down to this mainly cuz my oldest is mad at me cuz he is favorite but I rather deal with him being mad at me then one of them get seriously hurt

 

[Maeschak]

When I did 25 week old cockerels in an enamel chicken roaster they all turned out too tough. I tried 325, 350, 375, etc. someone on here told me a few weeks ago to use 240-250 degrees for several hours. So.... Before you stick that bird in the oven you may want to take the extra time to REALLY slow roast it at 240 to 250 degrees!