At what age should i slaughter these cockerels?

[jmc]

NONE of them are cornish x, btw, just extras (rir and brahmas)

will be 9 wks old on Mon, June 6th

I was thinking 16 wks?????????

OR,

As soon as they do genuine crowings??????

I don't want a bunch of super tough meat, so i dont want too wait too too long.

Tx!

 

[ChickyChickyBaby]

I think all my roos are tough!

I would say probably around 16-18 weeks.

over 20 weeks definitely is tougher!

 

[PatS]

Maybe Buff Orps are more tender, but I find that if I rest the meat in the fridge for several days and roast at 325* with some broth in the bottom of the roasting pan, even almost year-old roos aren't tough. The dark meat is a little chewier than store bought, but sooo flavorful.

 

[jmc]

thanks!

 

[sydney13]

I've been reading that 15 - 16 weeks is a recommended age for rir

 

[Buster52]

18 to 22.

 

[KatyTheChickenLady]

crowing

 

[Judy]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=285788

This has a great guide for eating these birds. I favor 12-14 weeks, but you do get a fairly small bird that way -- personal preference, for the flavor and tenderness you get.

 

[Buster52]

It is clear there are many right answers.

 

[KatyTheChickenLady]

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