Will the meat of a 26 week old Buff Orpington rooster be too tough for a roast?

[AVICULARIUS]

I was planning on slaughtering my Buff Orpington roo for Xmas eve next week, but after reading posts that the meat might be too tough after 20 weeks I am reconsidering. He has been free ranged his whole (albeit short) life. I know that a stew is always an option (I've done that with my Ameraucanas) but I really wanted to have a roasted chicken for the table. Any ideas? Thanks in advance.

 

[BGMatt]

I was planning on slaughtering my Buff Orpington roo for Xmas eve next week, but after reading posts that the meat might be too tough after 20 weeks I am reconsidering. He has been free ranged his whole (albeit short) life. I know that a stew is always an option (I've done that with my Ameraucanas) but I really wanted to have a roasted chicken for the table. Any ideas? Thanks in advance.

Shouldn't be. Look up some old time recipes and go nuts. Treat it like a turkey. People have just gotten too used to cooking those flavorless hybrid broilers. Most heritage breeds slaughter window was 20-28 weeks.