I try to get it done when the birds is young, so there's less bleeding if it's still quite warm, when I know the winter is gonna be harsh.
Sometimes it gets too cold to do it towards winter, & I shiver too much.
Stags, & Cocks(Roosters) only. Hens/pullets don't need to be dubbed.
Dubbing can be done anywhere between 10 weeks to a year of age, as long as the comb, & wattles are grown out enough. But it must be done before a bird is shown.
Not completely sure, but I think it's still a requirement for showing Gamefowl to be dubbed if being shown. From what I've seen it's a disqualification if they're not.
But things may have changed, & I'm not aware of that change.
Dubbing isn't abuse, it's a common husbandry practice done for...