butchering age for delaware chickens

[LilyD]

Quote:
Delawares can be bred to create more Delawares freedom rangers and rainbow rangers cannot. The book I have for raising DP birds suggests butchering between 16 and24 weeks but you can go up to a year with some breeds you just need to rest them longer and cook them slower.

 

[GoChick]

Quote:
Delawares can be bred to create more Delawares freedom rangers and rainbow rangers cannot. The book I have for raising DP birds suggests butchering between 16 and24 weeks but you can go up to a year with some breeds you just need to rest them longer and cook them slower.

Hi LilyD,

Which book is this? I'm trying to find one on raising and breeding DPs!

Thx

 

[cubalaya]

16 to 18 weeks for delawares

 

[LilyD]

Quote:
Delawares can be bred to create more Delawares freedom rangers and rainbow rangers cannot. The book I have for raising DP birds suggests butchering between 16 and24 weeks but you can go up to a year with some breeds you just need to rest them longer and cook them slower.

Hi LilyD,

Which book is this? I'm trying to find one on raising and breeding DPs!

Thx

Of course you would ask and now my mind refuses to give up the title lol. It's called learn to be self sufficient and raise your own chickens and eggs. It's written by a Vermonter and I picked it up from my local feed store.

I also read the article that is often quoted on here Rediscovering Traditional Meats from Historic Chicken Breeds
By Gina Bisco and they talk a lot about the different ages for chicken processing.

here is an excerpt from that article

"The traditional broiler age range was from 7 to 12 weeks, and carcass weight from 1 to 2 1/2 lbs. (Squab broilers would be youngest and
smallest of these, typically Leghorn cockerels about 3/4 to 1 pound dressed.) The next age and weight group
was called the fryer. Traditional fryer age range was from 14 to 20 weeks, and carcass weight from 2 1/2 to 4
lbs. Traditional roaster age range was from 5 to 12 months, and carcass weight from 4 to 8 pounds. Most
roasters were butchered between 6 and 9 months. Hens and roosters 12 months and older were called “fowl” or
“stewing fowl” signifying that slow moist cooking methods were required."

 

[GoChick]

"Of course you would ask and now my mind refuses to give up the title lol"

LOL! I know exactly how that goes! It happens to me all the time...

Thanks for the great info!

 

[IRChicken]

Great news for the Delawares, 12 - 24 weeks. I would hold out for roasters though.

Jersey giants would be an exception to this, right?
They are a very slow growing bird not reaching maturity until 2 years old.

 

[LilyD]

Quote:
I would imagine they would be since they grow for 2 years. I know the dellys and brahmas we have are all growing very quickly so I think the 12 to 24 weeks would apply to them but if they still seem small then you have the option to wait longer if you need to.