I just butchered all of my packing peanut roosters (buff brahmas) at 14-17 weeks old. Surprisingly, despite increasing their protein and fatty food content for fast growth, there was NOT much of a size difference between the 2 I butchered at 14 weeks and the rest later in the weeks. I had to butcher as they matured to crow (no roosters allowed). I've eaten two so far--even on the 14-weekers, there is enough meat for four meals (with hearty side dishes, lol) --though the carcasses do seem scrawny. I crockpotted one, and smoked the second. Small but delicious! As far as I know, crowing does not affect taste, and these guys has testicles as big as their hearts. Huge...I think they were going through a testosterone surge or something, because I haven't seen chicken testes that size before. Anyway...if you have the time, the feed, and can have roosters crowing, I'd wait as long as possible before butchering to get them to decent size.
