Roaster > Fryer?

[TMTex]

Yesterday, I deboned and fried a 17 1/2 week old rabbit after 3 days rest/brining in the fridge. I used the same spice rub that I use on fryers and fried it with some cubes of steak I cut from some sirloins in regular soybean oil. (Unless deep frying, I usually mix rabbit and beef or venison.)

Since fryers are 12 weeks and under, I figured this was a "roaster", but the taste and texture were superior to the fryers we've had. DW agrees that the meal was great. I'm pretty sure she wasn't just being nice, either. I gave 2 "roasters" to a friend and will see what he thinks.

So, is the 12 week cutoff a myth? I'm thinking about extending the growout time on the rest of my herd.

 

[Miss M]

Hmmmmmmmmm... that's very interesting. I've always read that >12 weeks = no frying. All of mine so far go well over 12 weeks, due to slow growout. I just might have to try frying anyway.

 

[Randy]

Good to know its possible have a tasty fryed rabbit at 4 months. It probably depends on the diet of the rabbit along with other varying factors.

 

[TMTex]

I kind of forgot about this thread. An update...the guy I gave the roaster rabbits to said his family loved them. He grilled them.

So it seems that the 12 week cutoff isn't such a big deal.

 

[GBov]

Some of my rabbits are waaaay to tough to fry at even 10 weeks and some are tender enough to fry at 16 weeks.

I wonder if its does V bucks for tenderness rather than age?

 

[TMTex]

Some of my rabbits are waaaay to tough to fry at even 10 weeks and some are tender enough to fry at 16 weeks.

I wonder if its does V bucks for tenderness rather than age?

That's an interesting thought. These were all does. My bucks tend to go to freezer camp earlier.

 

[GBov]

Some of my rabbits are waaaay to tough to fry at even 10 weeks and some are tender enough to fry at 16 weeks.

I wonder if its does V bucks for tenderness rather than age?

That's an interesting thought. These were all does. My bucks tend to go to freezer camp earlier.

I can tell when skinning if its a buck or a doe, even at 6 weeks so that might make a difference in the meat as well?

 

[3mina]

I've never had a tenderness issue with any age BUT the only thing ever fried in my house is eggs.

 

[Zass]

I've only noticed a tenderness issue in rabbits over a year old. I've had some AMAZING growth in rabbits between 12 and 16 weeks. More than worth the feed.