Butchering Fryer Roosters

[blucoondawg]

I was hoping to hear from some people with experience in butchering off their extra roosters, I have assorted heritage breed chickens I ordered from McMurray and I have at least 3 roosters I am going to butcher and I will keep 2 or maybe 3 if I decide to keep the Buttercup as well which was my free exotic chick. I was wondering what people have found to be a good butchering age for these guys as far as being young enough to not be too tough yet old enough to have some decent meat on them. I know they won't ever be as large as a Cx and that's fine.

 

[BCMaraniac]

I haven't processed any extra cockerels, but from everything I have read on BYC, I think 16-20 weeks is the ballpark that people use. I also wonder if keeping them confined the last couple of weeks would help with their weight as well.

 

[Elke Beck]

I have two deciding factors for when to butcher: 1) does the bird feel like it has a good amount meat on legs and breast, and 2) how much of a nuisance is the bird. I try to get them to number 1, but often they go earlier because of number 2.