Why are hen chicken wings are tougher than regular chicken wings at the store?

Answer 1

Hens are much older than the chickens grown for meat. The older the animal is when slaughtered, the tougher the meat.

Poulets or capons for meat production usually are slaughtered at around six weeks to three months of age.

Hens are slaughtered for stew and soup at the end of their prime breeding age, around one and a half years for egg layers, or 2 years for hens that produce eggs for meat birds.

Answer 2

Hen chicken wings may be tougher than regular chicken wings at the store because hens are older and have more developed muscles, making their meat firmer. Commercially raised hens may also have less tender meat due to their diet and living conditions. Additionally, the way they are cooked can also affect the tenderness of the meat.