Stew Hen

The Secret to Grandma's Chicken Soup? A Good Old-Fashioned Stewing Hen.

Remember the kind of chicken soup that simmered on Grandma's stove all afternoon? The kind with rich golden broth, tender pieces of chicken, and a flavor that couldn't possibly come from a can?

There's a good chance that soup started with a stewing hen.

Our Pasture-Raised Stewing Hens are retired laying hens from right here at Fluffy Butt Farms. After spending their productive years providing farm-fresh eggs, these mature hens have reached the end of their laying careers.

Rather than overlooking the value of these birds, we honor the traditional farming practice of making good use of what the farm provides.

And in the kitchen, these hens have something truly special to offer.

What Makes a Stewing Hen Different?

A stewing hen is a mature chicken, typically a retired egg-laying hen, rather than a young bird raised primarily for meat.

Because these hens are older, their muscles and connective tissues are more developed. That means the meat is naturally firmer and requires a different cooking approach than a young roasting chicken.

These birds are made for the stockpot, not a quick roast.

When gently simmered over several hours, a stewing hen can create a wonderfully rich, savory broth. With enough cooking time, the meat softens and can be shredded for soups, dumplings, casseroles, and other comforting dishes.

It's old-fashioned cooking at its finest: simple ingredients, patient preparation, and incredible flavor.

Why You'll Love Our Stewing Hens

• Raised Right Here at Fluffy Butt Farms: These are our own retired egg-laying hens.
• Pasture-Raised: Part of our farm's laying flock, raised with access to pasture.
• Deep, Traditional Chicken Flavor: Mature hens are especially valued for making flavorful homemade broth and stock.
• Perfect for Slow Cooking: Ideal for soups, stews, chicken and dumplings, and other long-simmered recipes.
• Excellent for Homemade Stock: Use the bones, skin, and meat to create a rich foundation for countless meals.
• Thoughtful Use of the Whole Bird: A traditional approach that recognizes the value of our hens beyond their egg-laying years.
• A Taste of Old-Fashioned Farm Cooking: The kind of ingredient generations of home cooks relied on for hearty family meals.

Five Delicious Ways to Enjoy a Stewing Hen

1. Grandma's Old-Fashioned Chicken Noodle Soup

Gently simmer your stewing hen with onions, carrots, celery, garlic, bay leaves, and fresh thyme until the meat becomes tender. Remove the chicken, strain the rich broth, and add egg noodles, vegetables, and shredded meat. Serve with warm sourdough bread for a comforting farmhouse meal.

2. Rich Golden Chicken Bone Broth

Place your stewing hen in a large stockpot with onions, carrots, celery, peppercorns, and herbs. Cover with water and gently simmer for several hours. Strain for a deeply savory broth that's perfect for soups, cooking grains, or sipping from a mug. Refrigerate promptly or freeze in convenient portions.

3. Old-Fashioned Chicken & Dumplings

Slowly cook your hen until the meat is tender enough to shred. Use the flavorful cooking liquid as the base for a creamy chicken gravy with carrots and celery. Add fluffy homemade dumplings and simmer until cooked through. It's comfort food that tastes like Sunday dinner at Grandma's house.

4. Farmhouse Chicken Pot Pie

Simmer the hen until tender, then shred the meat and combine it with peas, carrots, potatoes, and a creamy sauce made with homemade chicken broth. Top with a buttery pie crust and bake until golden and bubbling.

5. Slow-Simmered Chicken & Rice Soup

Cook your stewing hen with aromatic vegetables and herbs until tender. Strain the broth, add rice, carrots, and celery, then stir in the shredded chicken. Finish with fresh parsley and a squeeze of lemon for a satisfying, old-fashioned meal.

How to Cook a Stewing Hen

Important: Stewing hens are mature birds and should not be prepared like young roasting chickens. For the best results, plan on slow, gentle cooking with plenty of moisture.

Traditional Stovetop Method

1. Thaw safely. If frozen, thaw your hen completely in the refrigerator.
2. Prepare your stockpot. Place the hen in a large pot and add enough water to cover.
3. Add aromatics. Include onion, carrots, celery, garlic, bay leaves, peppercorns, and your favorite herbs.
4. Bring to a gentle simmer. Heat until the liquid begins to simmer, then reduce the heat. Avoid a vigorous boil.
5. Cook low and slow. Simmer gently for approximately 3–5 hours or longer, depending on the age and size of the hen, until the meat is tender enough for your intended recipe.
6. Check for doneness. Chicken must reach an internal temperature of at least 165°F. Continue cooking beyond that point as needed to soften the mature meat.
7. Remove and shred. Carefully remove the hen, allow it to cool enough to handle, and separate the meat from the bones.
8. Strain the broth. Use the flavorful cooking liquid for soups, stews, dumplings, or homemade stock.

Farm kitchen tip: Don't rush a stewing hen! The magic happens during a long, gentle simmer. These mature birds may require considerably more cooking time than a typical grocery-store chicken, and their meat will naturally have a different texture.

Can You Cook a Stewing Hen in a Slow Cooker?

Absolutely! A slow cooker is a convenient way to prepare a stewing hen.

Place a fully thawed hen in the slow cooker with vegetables, herbs, and enough broth or water for your recipe. Cook on LOW until the chicken reaches a safe internal temperature and the meat becomes tender, often approximately 8–12 hours or longer depending on the bird and appliance.

For food safety, follow your slow cooker's poultry instructions and verify that the chicken reaches at least 165°F.

Once tender, remove the meat and strain the broth. Use both in your favorite soups and casseroles.

From Laying Eggs to Feeding Families

At Fluffy Butt Farms, our hens have an important job: providing the farm-fresh eggs our customers love.

But eventually, their egg production slows or stops. That's a natural part of a laying hen's life.

Rather than viewing these retired hens as having nothing more to offer, we appreciate the value they can still bring to the family table.

For generations, farm families relied on older laying hens for rich stocks, hearty soups, and slow-cooked meals. It was a practical, respectful way to make use of the animals that helped sustain the farm.

Our stewing hens carry on that tradition.

They may not be the birds you'd choose for a quick weeknight roast, but give them a stockpot, a few vegetables, and a little patience, and they can become the foundation of something wonderful.

Good Food Is Worth the Wait

Some ingredients aren't meant to be rushed.

A good stewing hen reminds us that delicious food doesn't always come from convenience. Sometimes it comes from understanding an ingredient, honoring its purpose, and giving it the time it deserves.

Whether you're making your grandmother's chicken noodle soup, filling the freezer with homemade stock, or discovering traditional farmhouse cooking for the first time, our Pasture-Raised Stewing Hens are a wonderful place to begin.

Bring home a piece of old-fashioned farm cooking. Add a Fluffy Butt Farms Stewing Hen to your next order and put your stockpot to work!

Real Food Takes Time. Old-World Genetics. Natural Lives. Honest Food.