When to cull old hens??

[bobbi-j]

I do think it's not about how "long" they live, but "how" they live while they do- and kill them quickly and humanly. Good luck!

Yes!

 

[Plan-o-Chickens]

Unless they were pets, most of mine went in the pot at about three years.

Are they tough at 3 years old?

 

[bobbi-j]

Are they tough at 3 years old?

Yes, but still edible. Put them in the crockpot or pressure cooker, and they will be tender as can be.

 

[aart]

Yes, but still edible. Put them in the crockpot or pressure cooker, and they will be tender as can be.

Not if you cook them right....I stew mine in the pressure cooker.
Meat is 'toothsome' and stock is incredible.

 

[Plan-o-Chickens]

Yes, but still edible. Put them in the crockpot or pressure cooker, and they will be tender as can be.

Thank you @bobbi-j

 

[bobbi-j]

Thank you @bobbi-j

If you know how to pressure can food, you really should can those old hens. That's the best!

 

[Sequel]

Not if you cook them right....I stew mine in the pressure cooker.
Meat is 'toothsome' and stock is incredible.

How long do you pressure cook them? I've noticed the directions and recipes that came with mine tend to be a little optimistic, lol Dried beans in 7 minutes, ah no.

Cathy

 

[aart]

How long do you pressure cook them? I've noticed the directions and recipes that came with mine tend to be a little optimistic, lol Dried beans in 7 minutes, ah no.

Cathy

Actually, yes, at high pressure(15psi) that's pretty close...can depend on the type of bean.

I cook old hens for about an hour, then save aside all the meat and cook the rest for another 2-3 hours for killer bone broth.

The key to harvesting your own layer birds is to rest the cleaned carcass in the fridge for 2-3-4 days...the older the bird, the longer you rest them. It makes huge difference.
Many people are put off from eating layer birds, or even homegrown meat birds, because they don't understand the need to rest the carcass. An unrested bird is unchewable, IMO.

 

[Sequel]

Actually, yes, at high pressure(15psi) that's pretty close...can depend on the type of bean.

I cook old hens for about an hour, then save aside all the meat and cook the rest for another 2-3 hours for killer bone broth.

The key to harvesting your own layer birds is to rest the cleaned carcass in the fridge for 2-3-4 days...the older the bird, the longer you rest them. It makes huge difference.
Many people are put off from eating layer birds, or even homegrown meat birds, because they don't understand the need to rest the carcass. An unrested bird is unchewable, IMO.

Yum that sounds good! Usually when I do a pork roast or similar cut I do about an hour. The recipe for the cooker says 20 min...it might be DONE but it isn't succulent. Thanks for the info!

 

[Mosey2003]

I have an off-brand Instant Pot, and for older birds I set it at the highest pressure and the highest time it will go, something like 80 minutes?