Earliest time to butcher a Wyandotte??

[LizzzyJo]

I have a troublesome 8 week old Wyandotte cockerel. He was bullied a bit by the hens and now he is getting mean. It’s time for him to serve his purpose. But, what is the earliest week to butcher where I would get any amount of usable meat? Like I’m thinking a little Cornish hen sized amount of meat even. I don’t want to waste his sacrifice for too little meat. How long do I have to wait?

 

[LizzzyJo]

Ohhhh my goodness. I will not have any more feather plucking in my future. Skinning is 100% easier. OMG. game changer. If your family doesn't prefer skin anyway (like mine) then holy moly. It cuts the time and equipment by more than half. He dressed to 1.5lbs and I am very happy with the food and the peace. Thank you guys for your help!

 

[MarkJr]

I wouldn’t think a Wyandotte would be worth the time anything less than 14-16 weeks. But....... skin em and boil him will be enough for a pot of soup.

 

[LizzzyJo]

8 weeks is old enough for a game hen size dinner. If you can wait a couple of weeks you can have a small broiler good for 2 people. I have not raised Wyandottes, but Orpingtons (which I used to raise) might take a little longer -- what I have now is Barred Holland, a dual-purpose breed on the Livestock Conservancy endangered list, might be a little smaller than a Wyandotte. I just did the first cockerel at 10 weeks, a few too many pin feathers yet. He dressed out to just under 2 pounds, I include the back, feet and neck/giblets in that because I use those parts for chicken stock. Here are a couple of photos of what your annoying little rooster would be in a couple more weeks or so.View attachment 2321513
Cut up ready for the grill. I will freeze the bag with the feet and backs on the left until the others join him -- a few too many pin feathers just yet.View attachment 2321515
Plenty of breast meat for one person. Cut in half length-wise for people to have equal halves. I cook breast and legs separately. I think it is worth the trouble!

Thank you so much for your reply and pictures. He is now 10 weeks and 2.4lbs live weight. Based on the bloody bite on my hand - today is his day. I always prefer to cull when actively angry at a roo lololol (still 100% ethically and kindly, of course). I am going to skin to avoid issues with the feathers. I will let you know how it goes.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

How long do I have to wait?

I'd be surprised if you got much by 12 weeks and that would the VERY earliest I suggest. I usually don't consider harvesting heritage birds before 16 weeks for a reasonable size carcass.

I processed plenty of Silkies for the freezer.. and folks do quail all the time.. so it's all relative.. even not enough meat to feed the family may still be plenty to make a stock or chicken noodle soup. Worse comes to worse, if I don't feel like harvesting but need to maintain my sanity.. I will humanely dispatch.. and compost, set out for the feral barn cat, or vultures, give to someone to feed their dogs/animals, etc.. I no longer feel guilty for letting them return to feed the Earth if I'm unable to utilize them for whatever reason.


With all things chicken.. you do you! You only have to wait until YOU are ready.. This is YOUR adventure, YOU are the one dealing with flock antics etc.

At 8 weeks.. if he's being a bastard he most likely got the wrong signal somewhere. But some do start biting etc very young. I would either review MY body language AND reset the stage for a new interaction and kill him with kindness (meaning don't kick at or chase )while teaching him to respect your personal space. since like begets like fairly often. Testy or hormonal idiocy is not quite the same thing as "mean". He's a stupid preteen right now trying to learn his place. Starting young he could be steered in the right direction.. at least until a "better" time comes.. Wyandottes.. YU-hummy!

Many of us use grow out or stag pens.. to let the boys be boys on their way to camp Kenmore. I have also used a dog kennel for still in flock isolation. And I love using open bottom pens during the daytime when needed.

Best wishes, whenever you decide to harvest and however you decide to purpose him!

The suggestion to skin.. might be needed if pin feathers are coming in as they go through several mini molts on the way to maturity.. plucking is easy enough, but pins be a nightmare to get out!

 

[Parront]

8 weeks is old enough for a game hen size dinner. If you can wait a couple of weeks you can have a small broiler good for 2 people. I have not raised Wyandottes, but Orpingtons (which I used to raise) might take a little longer -- what I have now is Barred Holland, a dual-purpose breed on the Livestock Conservancy endangered list, might be a little smaller than a Wyandotte. I just did the first cockerel at 10 weeks, a few too many pin feathers yet. He dressed out to just under 2 pounds, I include the back, feet and neck/giblets in that because I use those parts for chicken stock. Here are a couple of photos of what your annoying little rooster would be in a couple more weeks or so.

Cut up ready for the grill. I will freeze the bag with the feet and backs on the left until the others join him -- a few too many pin feathers just yet.

Plenty of breast meat for one person. Cut in half length-wise for people to have equal halves. I cook breast and legs separately. I think it is worth the trouble!

 

[ladybrasa]

Just curious, what was your procedure for skinning? I will have extra Roos, and if I can make my self process (friends will do the actual “deed”), I am seriously considering skinning. Not a whole lot of videos and such that I came across. If I understand, I can get away with not fasting them, too, as I’m not too interested in giblets.

 

[MarkJr]

I rip a hole in gut cavity, put a few fingers on each side, then open like a bag of chips. Opens to wings easily. Grab skin and base of wing on flesh side and pull. Use a pair of shears at last joint and do other side. Legs same way. Up the back and use shears at base of head. Eviscerate and you’re done.

 

[Compost King]

Youtubes best kept secret. This hidden gem of a video has less than 700 views and half of them are probably me rewatching it as I watch this video before I skin a chicken every time. She also has a great video on Deep Litter Composting or Bedding etc... Not many subscribers and not a whole lot of videos however she has great ones.

 

[LizzzyJo]

Just curious, what was your procedure for skinning? I will have extra Roos, and if I can make my self process (friends will do the actual “deed”), I am seriously considering skinning. Not a whole lot of videos and such that I came across. If I understand, I can get away with not fasting them, too, as I’m not too interested in giblets.

100% agree with @Compost King

I took off the head, bled, then sheared the skin down the neck and chest first. Then stripped it off the wings (cut off the tip section). Then I stripped it down the back and off the legs. Cut off the feet. The whole thing took about 90 seconds and it was my first time. It came off like a jacket - please excuse my callous tone.