1. What is the difference between a baking hen and a stewing hen?
The only difference between baking hens and stewing hens is in the cooking method. Baking hens are cooked in the oven and stewing hens are cooked in water. However, both methods use heavy hens, the raw product produced by Tip Top Poultry. Check with your retailer to ensure that you are purchasing Tip Top products for your baking and stewing needs.

2. Is a hen a male or a female?
By definition, a hen is female. Therefore, baking or stewing hens are the females of mature chickens. The males are termed roosters and they are also available on a limited basis in the Top Buy brand. To learn more about hens, please go to the Education section.

3. What are giblets?
Giblets are the livers, hearts and gizzards from hens. If the hen that your retailer offers has a statement on the packaging that reads, “WITH GIBLETS”, then giblets and the chicken neck will be included in a small package inside the cavity of the hen. Sometimes, one or more of the giblet pieces may be missing from the package.

4. What are the nutritional values associated with hens?
For our Moist-N-Tender Hen, the meat after being cooked will have the following nutritional values on a 3 ounce serving: 140 calories, 35 calories from fat, 4 grams of fat, 1 gram of saturated fat, 85 milligrams of cholesterol, 200 milligrams of sodium, 0 grams of carbohydrates and 27 grams of protein. In addition, our hens are gluten free.

5. How many servings will a hen yield?
Assuming that a hen has an average weight of 5.5 pounds, cooking will generally yield about 32% or 1.65 pounds of cooked meat. This will result in 8.8-3 ounce servings or 6.6-4 ounce servings.

6. Why does the label read that the hen is injected with a solution?
The process known as basting creates a rich, juicy tasting hen by injecting a marinade solution directly into the meat on the hen.The ingredients of this solution are water, salt, sodium phosphate, sugar and flavoring, and may constitute up to 10 percent of the weight of the bird. By purchasing a basted hen, you will have a tastier, Moist-N-Tender baking or stewing hen.

7. How should I store my newly purchased frozen hen?
If the hen is frozen, keep it frozen until it is ready for use. If kept frozen, it will last indefinitely.

8. How should I thaw my frozen hen?
Thaw the hen in the bag in the refrigerator for 1 or 2 days. For quicker thawing, place the hen in the unopened bag in a pan and cover with cold water. Change the water frequently. Refrigerate if not cooked immediately. Do not refreeze. Free the legs and tail from a tucked position. Remove the neck and giblets. Rinse the hen and drain.

9. How should I store my newly purchased fresh hen?
Immediately place the fresh hen in a refrigerator that is set at 40 degrees F. Refrigerate for no more than 2 days before cooking.

10. Does Tip Top Poultry offer any advise as to the safe handling of raw chicken?

Safe Handling Instructions