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Trying to work up the nerve...............

January 5, 2012
9:23 am

BuckeyeGirl

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@ gakaren, those are the hens I just make broth from and recycle the meat as protein for the flock and/or the dog or dogs if I have any. (sorry everyone, but chickens are NOT vegetarians!) Perhaps some find that wasteful, because you 'could' grind the meat for sausage or such, but the results vs the effort just don't balance for me and it's still worthwhile to add to the diets of the other birds or my dog.

The broth is still delicious, nutritious and great in other recipes.

Located in N.E. Ohio

January 5, 2012
10:04 am

sparrowgrass

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I only cook those old hens if I am feeling really energetic–lots of work, meat is pretty inedible, though the stock is good. If you pressure cook them long enough, you can give bones and all to the dogs/cats/chickens.

Mostly, I just let them live til they die, and bury them.

I just haven't been the same since that house fell on my sister.

January 5, 2012
10:20 am

Leah's Mom

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October 31, 2010

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Okay…I know this whole "cooking old layers" is a change of topic but…..

Are they any better if they're younger? I'm thinking they lay well for about 2 years (or maybe I'm mistaken on that??). Is the meat any better if they're only 2-3 years old for items such as Chicken & Noodles, etc., where the meat is stewed?

January 5, 2012
10:32 am

BuckeyeGirl

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Well, it is and it isn't a change in topic LM! At least it's closely related… but yes, they're better for stewing then, though still very flavorful. They take longer to stew, but that's what crock pots are for! Either a slow (emphasis on slow) cooker or a pressure cooker is the answer then, but yeah, the meat is much better when they're younger.

Under a year is best, under 3 is ok and what I do since I get the larger dual purpose hens that have some meat on their bones for the most part and let them toodle around the yard till they're laying less, then make room for more youngsters.

Located in N.E. Ohio

January 5, 2012
11:07 am

Ross

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The old worn out hens would make good canners, they are terrible fryers much too tough.

January 9, 2012
10:46 am

mammaleigh

Mighty Chicken

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