Dorkings and BJG - age to butcher?

[Acre4Me]

You just click out of the sign up.

Broiling or grilling- 12 weeks 2-2.5 lbs dressed

Frying- 20 weeks 7-8 lbs dressed

Roasting- 6-9 months 9-10 lbs dressed (325 degrees 30 minutes per lb)

Stew- anything over 9 months

thanks.
Oddly enough, I couldn’t click out of it - maybe my browser?

 

[FortCluck]

thanks.
Oddly enough, I couldn’t click out of it - maybe my browser?

Yeah I was using my phone. Probably different I guess

 

[BlueBaby]

@Compost King might be able to tell you. He butcher's and has some Dorking's that he's beeen crossing with his Red Ranger's.

 

[Compost King]

I can't weigh in on JG and Dorking's, that's 2 slow growth birds and I have only successful bred them to Red Rangers which is a rapid fleshing hybrd. Since the JG are likely slower than the Dorkings the results will likely be heavy on the flavor. Might even taste better than a Pure Bred Dorking.

 

[pennyJo1960]

I only know from years past but broiler back 45 years butchered at 18 to 22 weeks neighbors that wanted some would all gather then process with the family

 

[123RedBeard]

This is the standard "it depends" answer.

Both of those breeds typically don't reach "maturity" until after a year, depending on strain, it could be two years!

Are you looking for the point where the next pound or two will be ALOT more feed and time, than the last couple pounds?

My suggestion is to think of a dressed weight you want ... weigh your birds, take the live weight, and figure on 2/3's will be dressed weight* (6Lb live = 4 Lb dressed) than butcher one of each breed, and try them ...


*I'm leaving my calculations a little wiggle room ... some people consider neck and giblets in with the weight, others don't, some even include the feet!

 

[Acre4Me]

This is the standard "it depends" answer.

Both of those breeds typically don't reach "maturity" until after a year, depending on strain, it could be two years!

Are you looking for the point where the next pound or two will be ALOT more feed and time, than the last couple pounds?

My suggestion is to think of a dressed weight you want ... weigh your birds, take the live weight, and figure on 2/3's will be dressed weight* (6Lb live = 4 Lb dressed) than butcher one of each breed, and try them ...


*I'm leaving my calculations a little wiggle room ... some people consider neck and giblets in with the weight, others don't, some even include the feet!

definitely not waiting for full growth -particularly not the BJG. My plan is to butcher both at same time so can compare. But, they are only 13 weeks, so I should wait until closer to 20 weeks. Hmmm...might be a holiday meal in my future!

 

[123RedBeard]

I'd weigh a few at 16 weeks, then 18 weeks? Then 20? 22? ... see if growth is continuing ... also feel them up, do they feel like a feathered skeleton, or chicken nugget?