Old Laying Hens, Can Still Be Good Eating

[@cbass2755]

Good Lord, why would anyone throw away an older Hen bc of age? Their are many ways to tenderize the meat. I’m so happy your showing one way. This video is from 2015, and today is 2022. Man oh man, if you have old Hen’s, learn from Bev! …😄 Lol….We’re gonna need every bit of our food moving forward, and I for one am all over utube to learn how to preserve my food….Thank you Bev!

[@mattski1979]

Great video. I'm gonna send it to my little brother. He said an egger died a week back, they processed it and it was way too tough to enjoy. Thank you for your helpful advice.

[@lifeonmockingbirdhill]

Thank you!!! I’ve been searching for this exact information. I knew it was out there because I’d seen your older video. Thank you so much for this updated video. It’s going to be super helpful to me as I have about 15 old hens in the freezer! I’ll make a video of me doing it with your process as soon as I get to it! Thanks again!!!!

[@OurHalfAcreHomestead]

I'm glad I could help! Good job! Nothing should go to waste

[@deanna.mdeason2361]

We never through out anything 😀 my granny would cook her birds the same way and the broth was awesome her chicken n dumplings was the bomb . You made me think of her. God Bless😀

[@juliek8249]

Wow, thank you for this very informative video. I'm getting ready to dispatch some of our old hens and while I've done lots of canning in my lifetime, I wan't sure how to successfully can our old girls. Most of the information I found on line was specific to younger birds. Your video is a great resource of the steps to the get the job done.

[@loves2spin2]

That's great! Thank you SO much, Bev! We have about a dozen hens we need to cull and this is what we will do.

[@2leelouCreates]

I have two chickens in my freezer that I got when I helped a friend butcher some chickens. I know two will only make a couple jars but that's better than wasting the old birds right? I love using the pressure cooker for the chicken first too. It really helps make them tender and with the veges and seasonings it adds a lot of flavor to the broth. Thanks for sharing!

[@OurHalfAcreHomestead]

Go for it!!! My Pleasure Honey!

[@realworldprepper]

Really good explanation of how to can those old laying hens. Thanks for sharing.

[@deadpossum100]

Best video on prepping old hens. Thanks love!

[@shawhit3462]

This is one of your best videos. Absolutely great process. Thanks Bev.

[@sssshhhh101]

Next time whole roasters go on sale I'll give this a try. Thanks for the video and showing me something new. Peace and health to you and those you love.

[@qualqui]

Nothing like a 'Caldo de Gallina' back in my Nana's day, but with all the 'Pollos' available at market, well, people naturally prefer tender chickens to the ol' laying hens. Thumbs up my dear Mrs.V, thankin' ya for sharin' yet another helpful and interesting upload! :)

[@OurHalfAcreHomestead]

My Pleasure Dear Joe!

[@igeekling]

Yum. Old laying hens are the best for curry.

[@OurHalfAcreHomestead]

canned chicken in broth is AMAZING!

[@cricket516]

Thank you so much for these videos. I'm learning a lot. I never knew to save the chicken fat. Wonderful idea.

[@DixieGirl9876]

They'll be good eatin' now! I need to can some more old hens again. Already have a hen setting this year. I do this too when I find them or turkeys on a real-ly good sale.

[@easein]

I Love you too much! Thanks Bev. You're a blessing and a joy. Just had to say it.

[@OurHalfAcreHomestead]

Thank you SO much! I never knew when I started this channel..that my daily life would be interesting to other folks! lol

[@alaskamike3577]

Wonderful video dear lady. Very informative and thanks for all the hard work.

[@OurHalfAcreHomestead]

Thank you!

[@honestyfaithful]

Thank you for the videos. Your teaching is wonderful. Wondering if you could possibly do a video for newbies ( explaining pressures, how it is ok to stack jars and everything) I was taught many years ago and I now have MS and a refresher course would be WONDERFUL.. Thank you by the way what did you do to your thumb?

[@kre8abtrpace]

how long do these last? Thanks! Great video.

[@Risingnshouting]

I just slaughtered 5 laying hens and got them cleaned and in the freezer. I look forward to trying this when I get a pressure cooker. Thanks for the video!

[@radar82556]

thanks for this... might actually process this old gals now.

[@OurHalfAcreHomestead]

You should!

[@elrabbitsbbq]

I love the Duck Tape band aid! Lol!

[@OurHalfAcreHomestead]

I had Slipped while sharpening a knife..cut my thumb knuckle almost to the bone..I learned the hard way that going to the ER for clean cuts is a waste of time..cuts heal faster if treated immediately...because I was standing at the sink when it happened..I ran it under fast running cold water..grabbed a hunk of clean paper towel and some duct tape and closed it up..and for the first few nights I splinted it so I wouldn't bend it in my sleep!you really have to LOOK to see the scar!

[@jackieo8693]

We Tried to cook a one year old chicken in the oven. Too tough to eat

[@SwtIslandGurl808]

I love all of your videos! always Learning more and more as I watch and you're a GEM! Aloha & GOD Bless you ! 🌺🌺

[@OurHalfAcreHomestead]

Thanks you Darlin!

[@isaaccutlip5815]

Badass

[@laurenl4570]

also it looks like a lovely day!! thanks for sharing lol i love learning new things

[@tammyhanson7843]

Pop pop pop sound is magical 😊

[@fluffygirl2011]

I love it take me about 4hour cooking. I don't like pressure cooker

[@TrixieM712]

Well that just answered the question me and my hubby was having last night.. Did you refrigerate the chicken fat ???? What brand pressure cooker are you using? Thanks for sharing your knowledge.:-)

[@HoneyHollowHomestead]

Oh, I so miss being able to get stewing hens. They don't seem to sell them where I live now. :( And I don't have old hens that I can butcher at the moment.

[@wadewillson7738]

Thank you ma'am for your video, I am dealing with old laying hens myself , and yes I was told that they will be too tough to eat, but if I understand you you're saying if they are pressure cooked and seasoned correctly the meat should be tender and tastes fine. We've got a bunch of new chickens so we're starting then the flock, my question is can we slaughter them in the afternoon and eat them by dinner, or do they have to be canned for a while?

[@OurHalfAcreHomestead]

If you pressure cook them you'll be able to eat the meat pie supper and can the rest the next day watch the video

[@goofyone6721332004]

Awesome Video Mrs V.

[@OurHalfAcreHomestead]

Thank you!

[@goofyone6721332004]

I wish I had a Pig because they are smart as a dog. You an get a Pig to get the Mail for you lol. Love y'all, HUGS AND KISSES!!!

[@diannefitzsimmons9027]

The Ball blue book that I use says 25 minutes fro quarts of stock, chicken and beef. I go that way to be sure ;-) Thanks for the vid because you sure got a good yield of meat. If I was doing combo canning like you, I sure wold stick them in for the 90 minutes too friend.

[@OurHalfAcreHomestead]

Thanks!

[@russsherwood5978]

have you cooked ribs in your pressure canner? i have came out fall off the bone tender thanks for the videos

[@robin5382]

You mention dehydrating chicken stock. I do dehydrate but have never dehydrated total liquids. Does it take forever?

[@OurHalfAcreHomestead]

I simmer it down to almost a thin gravy then put it on trays..can take 2 days!

[@robin5382]

Thanks for your reply.

[@maineiacacres]

"...that's what pressure canners are for." Amen Sista! And crockpots. ;) Thanks for another great info vid.

[@lizvasquez98]

ok thank you very much😊

[@OurHalfAcreHomestead]

+Elizabeth Vasquez My Pleasure!

[@amykinnell2837]

So helpful!

[@OurHalfAcreHomestead]

Thank you!

[@karengradzki3808]

Speaking of chickens, how are the birds handling this very cold winter? Hoping you, Howie and all your animals are keeping warm.

[@helenheyes4281]

Hi Bev, can I use my electric PRESSURE COOKER for canning small quantities?

[@OurHalfAcreHomestead]

I can't say because I have never used one..best not to attempt it!

[@patsanzone8019]

Had to turn this off when you said " This must be the rooster " lol. God I'm such a baby I'm planning on getting my first chickens this spring and I already know they will die of old age. Good on you Bev. I admire you and Papa . Me Sucker, but I'll have some lucky birds.

[@GladiusTR]

It's been years, but i find the idea admirable

[@AMStationEngineer]

I'm quite impressed, you've gotten this down to a science! That broth is rich enough to make "PA Dutch" Chicken Pot Pie (Bott Boi) with; the best part, there'd be no way to deny this was home processed chicken, because 'grocery store/butcher shop' chicken hasn't had dark meat since the "tough man to make a tender chicken; feed 'em marigolds" campaign began in 1972. May the "schmaltz" be with you! ©Mel Brooks, 1980-something, because "schmaltz" sounds better than "Schwartz"....

[@KnifeCrazzzzy]

Why do you not want to use metal to debubble?

[@ChattahoocheeHomestead]

Thank you for sharing this! I've heard so much about old hens being "tough" and this looks like it works very well to tenderize. Just one question - do you let your processed brids rest 24 hrs in cold or ice water BEFORE the pressure cooking step? I've read it's necessary to get the processed birds rest past the rigor stage, reducing the toughness.

[@OurHalfAcreHomestead]

some I put in right from the freezer..some like in this video go straight from being plucked and cleaned right into the canner.

[@aldod3937]

I rotate my flock every 2 and a half full years and on keep the ones that are still laying arleast 3 times a week. Cause some will just go down to.1 a week.or a few a month.

[@baritonebynight]

You never find stewing hens in the grocery store. I had to order one from a specialty store. I wonder why they are so hard to find? The meat is delicious.

[@aru05001]

I understand that you don't make powder out of the broth, but why don't you boild it down to like a fifth in volume so it fits in a fewer amount of cans?

[@OurHalfAcreHomestead]

because when I can it..it is ready to use at the strength I want.

[@lauraslilhomestead9208]

How long can you keep the chicken fat in the fridge to use for frying ?

[@lakore1201]

I want to get laying hens in the future, so I'm glad I can get more out of them as they age.

[@nancychodara1508]

we just had one die from old age-maybe 8 yrs old? we were her 3rd home.

[@littleguyties]

Do you let your chickens rest for a couple days before pressure cooking them?

[@OurHalfAcreHomestead]

+Crystal Walker nope..straight for the final rinse into the pressure canner!

[@theoriginalkeepercreek]

Found a video I missed! Bev, I have heard that chicken feet make the best stock or broth. Have you every done this and if so, what was the outcome? As always, many thanks!

[@readingwithbeverleyvolfie9506]

I tried it..but was not fussy on it!

[@lizvasquez98]

I'm new to canning so not sure what is the shelf life is??

[@OurHalfAcreHomestead]

+Elizabeth Vasquez for as long as the seal holds..I have had jars as old as three years..but never longer because we have used them all before that time

[@thatsmuzik2570]

How old is old?

im gonna show this to mi chickens see if they lay more eggs !

[@TheBearSpiceKitchen]

...and this is JUST why we're building a chicken plucker. :D

[@OurHalfAcreHomestead]

YES! I have to order Howie the plucker fingers!

[@jordansmithson9602]

Over 3 hours in a pressure canner, that chicken better be tender!

[@laurenl4570]

did you kill him or did he die a natural death ? lol