Is home-raised chicken meat REALLY that good?

[chicka_chicka_boom_boom]

Hi all,

I'm not a chicken owner yet, but we do plan to at least get some layers when we get settled at our new home. Today, I toured a small hobby farm and talked with a lady who just started last year raising pigs and chickens. She said that the chicken meat wasn't really that good, and she said that she heard that from many other people also. (she said the pigs were super-yummy though)

So, is this an "acquired taste," or is she doing something wrong? She said the texture was not that great, and her family didn't really enjoy the meat. She said it would be best in soups or the crock pot.

Her chickens do a lot of free ranging, and they seem to be eating a lot of the organic feed that she gives to her pigs.

How do you raise tasty chickens, and what really makes it better?

Thanks for any input!

 

[Salt and Light]

In all honesty, I can't tell THAT much difference. Now, the 1st home grown bird I ate, definitely tasted different. But after that, I can't tell any difference. Of course, I haven't eaten any store-bought chicken since I started eating home grown so I'm not a good resource for you.

But, I don't grow them for taste, I grow them for safety. Why should I feed my kids antibiotic laced chicken, when I can easily raise my own? Plus, there's just something "right" about doing it. Now, it's on to the beef!

 

[keljonma]

We don't eat chicken, but my guess that if she thinks chicken is only good for soup and the crockpot.... she is eating her old birds, not young birds.

Read ninjapoodles' "first butchering" post...

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=83181

 

[Beekissed]

I think my birds are way more tastey than commercially grown....and all the people who came to my last BBQ agreed so much that I only got one piece and no left overs!

They took some home to "whoever" so they could "taste it"!

Maybe its the way they prepare them? I don't try to soak all the blood out of them like some people, nor do I boil all the flavor away. Grilled is best for us, maybe even broiled.

No comparison to the salt water-injected, preservative laden, chemically laced store bought chicken that no longer tastes like chicken.

 

[Ladysonja]

I have heard it from both sides... ok maybe three sides, but the third side wouldn't know what a good steak or piece of meat if a cow or chicken came up and smacked them in the head.

A friend told me the best chicken was a home/farm/free ranged/home chicken over a store bought chicken.

There are several post relating to the subject under the "meat" category.

From what I have read, young chickens culled before laying eggs are very tasty. Older birds are considered stew or crock pot type meats.

I'm no expert in this field yet, but I am as interested in what others have to say on the subject as you.

 

[willheveland]

Yes,it is really that good.
It's a question that if you ask ten people,you'll probably get ten answers.You just have to search alot on this site and just do it.Don't get discouraged with problems because it takes awhile and without a doubt you will have some sort of quirks to work out.Listen to many peoples results and try to go from there.
I don't know what that lady raised or how she did it.I would think a texture issue may mean the birds she had may have been too muscled up,(old or ran around too much)maybe could have been old layer chickens.In my opinon there are only too types, layer and meatbird.Trying to get both from one bird is asking alot unless you like the aquired taste and don't mind small chicken.
My advise would be to stick with this site and jump around reading anything that interests you.Then learn from our mistakes and make a few of your own.It's a great hobby especially if you have children(watch the roosters though).It will take you away from the hustle and bustle. good luck with the new homestead.
Will

 

[redhen]

i dont know..i have never had the pleasure of eating a home grown chicken....but maybe someday ..i will...

..but i do know that my grandma is always saying that the chicken today..is no good..lol..(they used to raise meat chickens)...so..

...Wendy

 

[Carolyn]

I found the texture was more chewy in myflock of culled roos processed from 3 to 4 months. They were mostly dual purpose. In the future I'll probably get some meat birds, to supplement and use my extra roos for casseroles and such.

 

[menageriemama]

Y E S.

 

[chickenfanatic]

i know it has been said before and i will say it again. people aren't used to fresh meat anymore the texture isssss different because u aren't eating all the saline and junk they shoot the chickens up with to keep them preservatives and chemicals in other words the are a bit more chewy and firm yes but hey im a person that likes to chew my food hahahaha as for flavor i will say this i love it it taste like it is supposed to i do know a few people that didn't like it admittedly because of the fact they killed it and never could get used to that not the taste. all i can say is u wont know till u try it but yes it is better in my honest opinion and yes it is definitely safer. give it a shot and let us know what you think hahaha.