Are they big enough to slaughter?

[Kaycie Jones]

Here is a pick of the meat birds I’ve been raising. I’m not exactly sure on their age (stupid me, I lost track), so I’m wondering if they’re ready yet or if they need another week. This is my first time raising chickens of any kind. TIA!

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• Kaycie Jones
• Oct 31, 2017

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• Kaycie Jones
• Oct 31, 2017

 

[Molpet]

depends how big of a chicken you want.. weigh them and subtract 1/4 and that's about the size cleaned carcass

 

[Smuvers Farm]

depends how big of a chicken you want.. weigh them and subtract 1/4 and that's about the size cleaned carcass

x2. Weigh them.

 

[Mary's Backyard Chickens]

I would wait another 1 week or so....
They don't look quite big enough yet. I would slaughter them when they get a little fatter, taller and longer. That means more meat, and that also guarantees you're not killing them too early.

I would also weigh them as well.

 

[TEXAS715]

Butcher when they are the size you want them. Weigh them. Roughly 80% of live weight will be what you have after butcher.

 

[Chris H.]

IMG_5106

• Chris H.
• Oct 24, 2017

IMG_5116

• Chris H.
• Oct 24, 2017

IMG_5217

• Chris H.
• Nov 7, 2017

This was a few days before I processed my Cornish Xs. They dressed out at 6.7lbs on average. At 60 days. Yours look like they need more time.

 

[Nekatlla]

I wait till mine are 6 lbs at least live weight. That gives me a 4 lb carcass. 2 lbs loss on average for cleaning.

 

[Morrigan]

It really depends.

First, how big do you want them? I agree with everyone else, that you should weigh a live bird. Or, you could process a couple of the bigger ones and see how happy you are with the dressed weight. I like mine at least 5-6 lbs, but other people like a smaller bird. There is no wrong answer to this -- it's just what you like.

Second, how are they doing? If your birds are starting to have trouble walking or moving freely, I would start processing sooner, rather than later, for fear that you may start having birds die on you. From the pictures you posted, they don't look particularly heavy and seem to be in good shape, but you would know better than I.