1/2 Stewing Rooster

What you’re getting

Half of a large, mature pasture-raised rooster.

Approx. 4 - 7 lb.

Raw. Frozen. Keep frozen or refrigerated.

In full disclosure, a few of these “stewing roosters” are actually hens. There is no difference to the consumer except that the hens will be on the smaller side, within the stated range.

Pasture-raised chicken—with more pasture time

Unlike the young broilers who go into our whole chickens and chicken cuts, these birds were allowed to grow to their full size before processing. We then cut them in half to make a more manageable package size. It takes a little more time and care to prepare one of these roosters, but what you give up in convenience, you’ll get back not only in added flavor, but in nutrition. Think about it: the longer they’ve lived on pasture, the more plants they’ve eaten. The benefits of pasture-raised chicken are multiplied.

Cooking tips

With some gentle slow cooking, they’ll give you scrumptious, cost-effective, nutrient-dense chicken. If you would like plain shredded chicken for any use, thaw the chicken half in the refrigerator or under hot water, unwrap, and place in a pot or slow cooker. Cover the chicken with water, add an optional cupful of white wine and a handful of salt, cover, and simmer gently for 3-6 hours, or until perfectly tender. Remove from water (save the broth!), let cool a bit, and pull the meat from the bones.

That’s great for everyday, but make sure you try traditional French coq au vin—literally “rooster in wine.” See the first recipe below. You can follow any coq au vin recipe, but make sure to plan a few hours for the simmering step, since most modern recipes are developed for young broilers.

Recipes

Authentic Coq Au Vin With A Rooster | The Peasant's Daughter

Homemade Chicken and Dumplings | Shaye Elliott

The Coziest Chicken Noodle Soup | Gimme Some Oven

White Chicken Enchiladas | Jo Cooks

Chinese Chicken Salad with Asian Peanut Salad Dressing | RecipeTin Eats

White Chicken Chili | Cooking Classy

How we raise our chickens

Chickens have a superpower: turning weeds and bugs into delicious, nutritious meat. We give our birds fresh ground every day, where they excitedly chase bugs and strip all the plants down to the stem. We also offer them a non-GMO, peanut-meal based feed mix and, of course, never give them antibiotics or any other pharmaceuticals. For more information about our farm’s practices, check out Our Standards.