At what age do you process...

[hensdeliverthegoods]

...a dual-purpose bird such as a Rock, Orp or Delaware? I know they don't grow as quickly as the Cornish X's, but I also don't want them to get too old to be good meat. I've looked around for the info but haven't found anything definite. Thanks for any input...

 

[sweetshoplady]

I've processed at 6 months, 8 months, and 4 months. The first 2 were Delaware's. The 3rd was today, a RIR. The difference is how you cook them. Oh, and a Brahma cross at 4 months.

I only have dual purpose as they come along and are of age, a meat order of meaties would be too much for us. Although I'd really like to get some game hens. And I am doing quail as that is an ideal size bird for us.

My 4 month olds are about 2-3 pounds and are great as a frier. If I let them go to 6-8 months they get up in that 5 pound range and are ideal as a roast bird. All that I have done have been fantastic. (I did one today (4 mos) who is in the fridge to be fried tomorrow).