Chicken question

[Hotwired]

I hope this does not make me sound like an idiot, but here it goes.
Roosters, is there a taste/texture difference of the meat compared to hens, and at what age is prime for butchering, can they get too old?

thanks

 

[Stschil]

I hope this does not make me sound like an idiot, but here it goes.
Roosters, is there a taste/texture difference of the meat compared to hens, and at what age is prime for butchering, can they get too old?

thanks

Rooster have a little wang in them, but otherwise....

Seriously, I've had stew using both hens and roos, never tasted a difference.

Most roasters are less than 6 months old when they are butchered, but that is from commercial farms. I don't think it really makes a difference to the hobbyist. Just like any game, there are ways to temper the taste of older animals.

 

[Mr Evilwrench]

I wouldn't be surprised if there were some difference once it's matured, though I can't say for sure. There must be some reason for the capon (chicken eunuch) and the price it commands.

 

[Electronrider]

The older the bird the tougher the meat. ( at least as far as hens go).

Younger birds are good fryers, older birds are good bakers.

 

[CountryBoy19]

Can't say first hand, but supposedly they are tougher and the flavor is a bit different. Definitely not a bird you butcher and roast/grill, more of a stew-pot type bird.

Typicaly "dual-purpose" roosters are butchered around 10 months IIRC. Before that and you don't get much meat. Cornish X (the chicken you buy in the store) is VERY different from normal chickens.