Choosing who to put in the freezer

[wanda047]

Of my 16 BO that I raised this year, I ended up with 8 roos. That's about 6 too many. By the first of August, we intend to reduce the number of roos and put some in the freezer. How in the heck am I going to choose which 6 to cull? Any suggestions?

 

[bigtooks]

this is a tough question...i have to pick some hens to do the same thing..and i don't want to...i guess if i were picking roos to cull then i would pick the meanest ones:/

 

[wanda047]

Quote:
They are all sweeties! The only "mean" one I have is one I think I want to keep... .just cause he is a little on the mean side and I know he'd protect his girls.

I honestly want to keep two roos. The pecking order has already been established and the roos at this point get a long fairly well. Of course, all that could change between now and August when we intend to start culling. The first one that flogs me is gonna get it though!

 

[Sunny Side Up]

Certainly keep the most mannerly ones, the ones who behave well around you & take the best care of the hens. If they are all equal in this attribute, then pick the 6 meatiest ones!

 

[Germaine_11.20]

Are you going to butcher them yourself or send them to a processor?

I am trying to figure out what the best way is. I haven't culled in a long time and I seem to remember it taking quite awhile.

 

[patandchickens]

If you're going to do them yourself, maybe process 3 -- among 8, there should be 3 that are pretty definitely on the to-do list -- and then leave the other 5 for a few weeks to give yourself more chance to decide. Distinguishing characteristics may become more noticeable when there's fewer of them around.

Good luck,

Pat, going to be doing this in a few months with sussex cockerels but my priorities are very definite there : personality is #1, and weight at 16 wks is #2 priority

 

[wanda047]

Quote:
Yes, we will be culling ourselves. We intend to skin the birds. Should be a simple, quick job. We haven't done chickens in years, but we are turkey hunters and this is how we prepare our wild turkeys. We fillet the breasts, and then keep the legs and thighs.

I like the idea of doing maybe three at a time, thus giving me more time to decide which to keep and which to cull. One of the roosters has curled toes, and has had since he hatched. He gets along fine and the kids really love him, but I think he will be one that we cull. I also have one picked out that I want to keep. He's a fiesty fellow, but he does a good job with watching his girls. I have some beautiful roos. It'll be a hard decision.