As a food, chickens are classified by the age of the bird. Fryers and roasters are two classifications of chicken, each with its own characteristics.
Age
Fryer chickens are 7 to 13 weeks old, while roaster chickens are 3 to 5 months old.
Size
Fryer chickens weigh between 1 1/2 and 4 lbs. Roasters are larger and weigh between 3 1/2 and 7 lbs.
Serving Size
A whole fryer chicken is typically enough food to serve three to four people, and a roaster chicken serves between five and seven people.
Flavor
The meat of a roaster chicken is typically more flavorful than a fryer.
Tender
While roaster meat is tender as well, the meat of the fryer chicken is especially tender.
About the Author
Faith Davies has been writing professionally since 1996, contributing to various websites. She holds an LAH insurance license in the state of Pennsylvania and has experience as a bank branch manager and lending officer. Davies graduated cum laude from the University of Pittsburgh with a Bachelor of Arts in art history.
