Dressed Carcass Picture Chart

[Kiki]

But I should mention these two I have pictured where from two different lines of birds and that could be the reason why too.

 

[jolenesdad]

This thread is fabulous.

@GaryDean26 could you post a photo of yours?

Also, older is darker, I noticed a slight difference in my meat birds from 9 to 12 weeks. Is it more muscle? Unfortunately I parted my entire batch because I did SO many and needed freezer space. I’ve got a couple meat bird photos I’ll dig up.

 

[jolenesdad]

Also I’ll be processing several lines of Delawares this fall, potentially marans and orpingtons as well and will share photos.

 

[Molpet]

My older chickens are darker. I will have to see if I have any photos tomorrow.

 

[MomJones]

Here’s my Barnvelder cockerel at around 20 weeks dressed out at 3.8 lbs legs removed to fit in ziplock processed at home.
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Compared to my Red Ranger meat birds at 11 weeks and 5.5 lbs, these we had done at a local plant so we can sell them.
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Parent stock for my meat breeding program, though I lost by heaviest standard Barnvelder Rooster, this boys brother, and am going to try my back up. I’m also wanting to try bresse and dark Cornish

Impressive! I don't have pics yet but this is inspiring. Gonna start posting along with you guys. Also, glad to see others are skinning. So far, I've had the best results by skinning the old gals. Got some Brahmas who are almost ready for the freezer--those I plan to leave skin on for roasting. I get excited about processing and feeding my family Yay!

 

[MomJones]

While true that feed/environmental differences will play a part a database of carcasses would still be beneficial when picking out a breed as far as White meat to Dark meat ratio. I can tell by the Dark Cornish picture that the build of that bird regardless of size is much different than the build of an Orpington. It would be nice if a data base of carcass pictures came with environmental factors including which feed was used, Penned or free ranged, or Tractored Etc. Might be dreaming too big on that. from now on I am going to post my Carcass pictures here to help contribute to this.

(Making notes here)

 

[MomJones]

Black Copper Marans, 25 weeks. I didn't have a scale then. Grower feed.

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Bresse, 16 weeks, 2.8-3.4 lbs. The smallest from the group. Starter feed, pasture turnout.

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What we started doing was going through 10-12 at a time, skinning and processing them into thighs/legs and breast/wings and bagging. Then weighing the bags. Last harvest (just legs/thigh/wings/breast) was 11.25 pounds from 7 birds (4 Bresse and 3 Hybrids) at 16 weeks. Time before was 15.25 lbs from 12, mostly hybrids so they were lacking the fullness that the Bresse have.

Wow. I'm green with envy. No Bresse's available where I live and I don't trust the Postal System for shipping anything other than maybe an envelope. Our little area is rife with problems.

 

[MomJones]

thats what I guessed too, as meat gets older it loses color. Still good to eat though.

Ooooh I have always wondered that too.

 

[Kris5902]

While true that feed/environmental differences will play a part a database of carcasses would still be beneficial when picking out a breed as far as White meat to Dark meat ratio. I can tell by the Dark Cornish picture that the build of that bird regardless of size is much different than the build of an Orpington. It would be nice if a data base of carcass pictures came with environmental factors including which feed was used, Penned or free ranged, or Tractored Etc. Might be dreaming too big on that. from now on I am going to post my Carcass pictures here to help contribute to this.

Good point! My Post is too old to edit, but my Barnvelder was in an adapted Suscovich type Tractor, and fed starter, then grower crumbles and switched to 19% protein 7%fat broiler pellets at 9-10 weeks. My Rangers were in 6x8 Salatin style tractors from week 4, and on the broiler pellets at about 5 weeks old. I started with 40 birds in the one tractor and thinned them out to 20 in two tractors at 7-8weeks because I was having to move them at least twice a day. They are on a pasture of mixed grasses, with the occasional cow pattie for extra flavor!

 

[Morrigan]

Some nice looking eating birds here!

This is 13 week old Dorking rooster that DH is prepping for the grill tonight. I meant to get a picture before it was spitchcocked, but didn't notice what hubby was doing until it was too late. Dressed weight was 2 lbs 10 oz. Not true free range, but had access to large fenced yard.

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Updating with the post-grill product. It was extremely tender and tasty. One half was plenty of meat for two adults.