Obviously the weight will be different but wondered on tenderness and quality of the meat. Is it pretty much the same between 6 or 10 weeks (if they live that long) And a 10 lb bird should dress out around 6-7 lb? At what age are they generally 10 lbs?
Quote:They will live that long. I had girls I kept because it was too hot to do the butchering (not a fan of flys) They were laying eggs. One girl had a special place, when I went to butcher she got out and shot over to the other coop, wattling faster then I could grab, come to find out it was her laying in there and not my D'Uccles, needless to say I now have a CX x D'Uccle chick, broad breasted and cute, but it crys all day long.
We let some go right til 12 weeks last summer and they're the same as the younger birds. Huge, but not tough.
We before now always got them a little on the "older side" (at 10 - 12 weeks) from a friends daughter who raises them for showing and usually did several shows then would give us a call when she was through - and then we would coordinate a pick up date - thus the age - and they still tasted just like the MOST tender juicy chicken I have ever had even a touch older! (OF course she spoiled them and they lived in the chicken Hilton too )
I raised CornishX up to 18 weeks and used them inplace of the Thankgiving turkey. They dressed 12# plus tasted much better.
