Australorps?

[Batty about Banties]

I have a couple extra roos that are 9 weeks old, was wondering if and when I could send them to "freezer camp" (props to the person who started that!)

 

[Ridgerunner]

With breeds like Australorp, I have butchered at 12 weeks but there is really not much meat there. I don't think it is enough meat to make it worth it, but if you have a reason, like you are not supposed to have roosters, you will get some meat.. I usually wait until at least 15 weeks at the earliest and really prefer 18 weeks.

My situation is probably different than yours. I raise dual purpose chickens for meat as well as eggs and let mine free range. It does not cost me much to feed them after they get out of the brooder. I leave mine on the claw, so to speak, and only butcher a few at a time. That way, if I lose electricirty, I don't have a lot of meat that spoils. It is not unusual for some of mine to be 30 weeks or older before they are butchered, but I usually start around 15 to 18 weeks.

 

[Batty about Banties]

Thanks, I will try to sell them on Craigslist.

 

[pechara]

I just gave a roo away on Creagslist for free. Took a few days but he went to a good home were he can have a great time in the country crowing all he wants. Im not sure if people will "pay" money for a roo on Creagslist. Let me know how t goes

 

[EsoBOFH]

When you say not much meat, what are we talking here? - how much do they weigh at 12 weeks, and what percentage is usable meat?

 

[Arctic5]

I processed two brahma roos with a batch of meaties last summer. They were about 17 wks old and I think they were around 4 to 4.5 pounds. Their meat to body ratio is quite skinny compared to a true meat bird, but they ate pretty good. A little more chewy than a Cornish X but good flavor. At 12 weeks I would question whether it would be worth the effort to process them. Wait a while if you can, til they get bigger.

Good Luck!