Age to process...

[cinderbay]

For the first time this year we purchased all cockerals for our meat birds. Cornish x.
Today we have had them 6 weeks (so they are 6 weeks and what 2 days?).
They are HUGE. Growing much faster it seems than when we did a run before.
We send the last 2 we did at 8 weeks. Some huge, some perfect and just a couple smaller (4lbs). Most averaged 5-6lbs.
My partner who we raise these guys with wants to go 8 weeks again but I think they would be fine a 7. Other than size, would there be any advantage or disadvantage to letting them go sooner or later? Quality of the meat? There are a couple who are behind and smallish but the rest are large.
Any difference in going sooner than later? Is it obvious I cannot wait to get rid of them? While he makes the initial purchase of the birds, I buy all the feed and tend to them every day. I'm pretty much over it.

 

[Chaos18]

I don't see any clear advantage to waiting. Can you space out the processing? Say do the bigger ones now and wait a week to do the smaller ones?

 

[NorthTexasWink]

I don't see any clear advantage to waiting. Can you space out the processing? Say do the bigger ones now and wait a week to do the smaller ones?

X2

 

[cinderbay]

Thanks, that what I am thinking. I am sure the farm that processes them will appreciate us splitting the lot.

 

[DaveMorehouse]

Agreed with the others. There is no rule that says they all must be processed the same day. My wife and I did 8 of 15 last weekend. We processed the biggest birds first. We will do the remaining 7 on Monday or Tuesday which will be 10 days later.

Our CXs were fed fermented grains and kept on grass after 3 weeks of age. They roast and taste wonderful. They will be 9 weeks old on Monday. Our first batch dressed between 6.5 and 7.25 pounds.

Best wishes,
Dave

 

[cinderbay]

Agreed with the others. There is no rule that says they all must be processed the same day. My wife and I did 8 of 15 last weekend. We processed the biggest birds first. We will do the remaining 7 on Monday or Tuesday which will be 10 days later.

Our CXs were fed fermented grains and kept on grass after 3 weeks of age. They roast and taste wonderful. They will be 9 weeks old on Monday. Our first batch dressed between 6.5 and 7.25 pounds.

Best wishes,
Dave

We don't do fermented but they are on pasture and we move them daily.