SIZING Q: Chickens seem to come in all sizes from peewee “game hens” all the way up to great big turkey-sized behemoths Which one should I buy? Great question, and it depends what you want to do with it, as well as how many people you want to feed For instance, broilers, fryers, and roasters all make great roasts, and they can be roasted pretty much the same way (timing will vary, but temperature will not) Pick the one you want depending on whether you’re feeding just one other or a family of six With chickens, when we’re talking size, generally speaking, we’re also talking age Small, younger chickens have had less time to develop their muscles and connective tissue and, as a result, have more tender but less flavorful meat Older birds tend to have more flavorful meat, but it’s tougher and takes a longer time to break down properly In 2003, the USDA altered its classification system, shifting the entire thing back by a couple of weeks to make up for the fact that chickens these days are bred to reach maturity far faster than their predecessors did The average chicken to reach the market these days is younger than three months of age Oh, how fast they grow up! The chart below lists the basic USDA categories and the best uses for each of them CLASS Cornish Game Hen USDA BEST USES DEFINITION An immature chicken under 5 weeks of age and weighing no more than 2 pounds (At least one Single- or doubleserving birds that should be stuffed and roasted, or grilled whole, or ... predecessors did The average chicken to reach the market these days is younger than three months of age Oh, how fast they grow up! The chart below lists the basic USDA categories and the best uses for each of them... 2003, the USDA altered its classification system, shifting the entire thing back by a couple of weeks to make up for the fact that chickens these days are bred to reach maturity far faster than their... and the best uses for each of them CLASS Cornish Game Hen USDA BEST USES DEFINITION An immature chicken under 5 weeks of age and weighing no more than 2 pounds (At least one Single- or doubleserving