The Food Lab: Better Home Cooking Through Science

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 USDA

DEFINITION

BEST USES

Cornish

Game

Hen

An  immature

chicken

under   5

weeks   of  age

and

weighing    no

more    than    2

pounds. (At

least   one

Single- or

double-

serving

birds   that

should  be

stuffed and

roasted,    or

grilled

whole,  or