Can you butcher too early?

[GordanBombay]

I am in a pickle. I have a mixed flock of ducks, turkeys, and what were supposed to be jersey giant pullets. It’s now apparent that I have 5 roosters (in addition to my bantam guy that has a separate flock). To say it is mayhem here is an understatement. I’ve had to separate my ducks as they are being constantly accosted.
I cannot keep this gang of horny dudes, especially with my set up, and would like to butcher them ASAP, as we won’t be able to find 5 people who want big roosters around here. However, I know giants are best left for at least 9 months old (my guys are about 6). Will butchering them now be alright, or is there something I’m not considering that I should be aware of?
Thanks!

 

[Brooks_]

Should be fine, they'll just be smaller.

 

[Morrigan]

I would butcher now as I believe that peace of flock is always worth it. I've butchered and eaten 1 1/2 to 2 lbs skinny little cockerels who were causing problems. Small, but tasty, and I have no regrets.

Have you butchered and eaten 6 month old cockerels before? Even if not optimal size, you might have to adjust your cooking techniques to get tender meat.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Few of my males get beyond 6 months, unless they are intended to get a season of breeding. The texture isn't going to improve any between 6 mo and 9 months, and the feed efficiency will continue to go down. Depending upon where, exactly, you are in the world, you are likely approaching peak production in any pasture they may be on, op the economics of feeding them for additional weight gain may be feeling some pressure there as well.

**schnick!** Off with their heads. Go all Red Queen on them.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I don't have Jersey Giants but I regularly butcher by 6 months. There is nothing wrong with the meat, there may be more meat later if you keep feeding them. With my dual purpose any growth after 6 months is fairly slow, I don't consider it worth buying feed for that small amount of growth.

To me it sounds like the perfect time to butcher them.

 

[raingarden]

The only way I am able to get a 3:1 feed conversion ratio is to butcher at about 100 days. After that, FCR continues to climb. But, they're just scrawny mutts; not a purpose-bred meat or dual purpose. For us, a 100-day-old makes two portions so two birds feeds a picky family of four.