CORNISH GAME HENS

[one eyed jack]

If you want something different of an exotic chicken, try a Capon. This is a castrated rooster that makes them fat and juicy! Snatch 'em up in the store if you can find them!

I have a buddy who moved to France a few years back. The locals in his new neighborhood eat Capon fairly regularly and my pal wrote me about it and gave the dish high marks. (I believe he told me that they were baked, over there).

There are videos on you tube instructing the process of castrating roosters and I even found a few kits available on the internet. It's a bit of a touchy procedure, but I thought about giving it a shot. Haven't taken the plunge yet.

I have zero expectation of finding Capon in my local grocery stores and that is the reason I looked into DIY instruction and tools. A curiosity, really.

 

[browneyesvictim]

They were teaching kids (young adults) how to do it when I was in 4-H. We raised birds, but never did that. I would hit up a local chapter if I wanted to learn today.

 

[chilerelleno]

Lets face it, if ya want real flavor from fowl ya gotta go with wild game, or at least true 'Free Range' birds who supplement their supplied diets with what they find.
Those birds who get to really use their muscles, never met a wild bird with white meat, it'a all dark and flavorful.
Guinea fowl, Peacock, Quail, Pheasant, Pigeon, all the various ducks/geese and many more.

 

[Rings Я Us]

Those look good as #"=!*...

I keep forgetting to try some game hens. A work colleague told me smoked game hens were great.

 

[mike243]

chilerelleno grouse are all white meat,wife loved them last time I got a few

 

[chilerelleno]

chilerelleno grouse are all white meat,wife loved them last time I got a few

Interesting, never had a Grouse.
Learn something new everyday.

 

[Rings Я Us]

We have Sharp tail grouse. People call them Partridge. Don't know why.

 

[bdskelly]

Grouse are Prairie Chickens where I live.

 

[one eyed jack]

They were teaching kids (young adults) how to do it when I was in 4-H. We raised birds, but never did that. I would hit up a local chapter if I wanted to learn today.

Hey B.E.V, Are you talking about the Capon's here? If so; Thanks for the tip about the 4H.

 

[one eyed jack]

They're hard to find---They usually hide because of what happened to them!!!

Bear

Good-n, Bear. I'd hide, too.

 

[mike5051]

They're hard to find---They usually hide because of what happened to them!!!

Bear

I don't care who you are...That is funny!

Mike

 

[SmokinAl]

This thread really got interesting, all of a sudden!
Not too many choices around here for wild game, unless you include alligator meat!
There is plenty of that to be had!
Will keep my eye out for capon's too!
Al

 

[HalfSmoked]

Al sorry for being late on this but with all that's been said all I can say is awesome.

CG hens deep fry well too.
They are a different breed of chicken not regular chickens. Had a friend who grew them for Purdue.

Any great smoking plans for the 4th?

Warren

 

[HalfSmoked]

You have to consider that the Bear lives in the woods and they would have plenty of places to hide. :D

Warren

 

[Bearcarver]

You have to consider that the Bear lives in the woods and they would have plenty of places to hide. :D

Warren

LOL---I don't think any Boy Scouts or 4-H members are going to go around Castrating Bears.
That could have it's drawbacks!!

Bear

 

[HalfSmoked]

Ha yup for sure. Like that photo.

Warren

 

[browneyesvictim]

Hey B.E.V, Are you talking about the Capon's here? If so; Thanks for the tip about the 4H.

Yes. Watched it done years ago. I declined to try. I don't get sentimental when it comes to the act of slaughtering, or many other barbaric things that are part of raising farm animals and such, but watching that level of "surgery" on a live animal wasn't for me. Especially knowing it was CASTRATION at that age of a young boy!

 

[SmokinAl]

Al sorry for being late on this but with all that's been said all I can say is awesome.

CG hens deep fry well too.
They are a different breed of chicken not regular chickens. Had a friend who grew them for Purdue.

Any great smoking plans for the 4th?

Warren

Thanks Warren!
I knew there was something different about those birds!
On the 4th I think we will probably just do the old stand by ribs & beans.
But I have a new appetizer planned & if it turns out I will post something.
Al

 

[HalfSmoked]

I thinking I just might do one of them Giant Food Store briskets ($1.99 lb) with maybe Gary's bake beans.

As a kid we also eat a lot of bannie chickens too. Which also are small.

Warren

 

[chilerelleno]

I'm thinking big beef ribs.
IMPS #130 Chuck, Short Ribs
Wish I could find some IMPS #123a Plate, Short Ribs.