Eating Roosters

[max13077]

A friend and I have several 12-15 week old roo's that we do not plan on keeping. My friends mother says you can't eat roo's after a certain age. Being novices, we had never heard of it. Is this true? What age would be the best to cull them?

 

[Red Tie]

Generally speaking, around 18-22 weeks. They will not be broiler/roaster material but work as fryers or just general purpose "eating" chickens. Crock pots and pressure cookers are a older birds best friend. Make sure you are feeding them a high protein broiler feed so they get as much meat on them as possible. I have about 40 dual purpose roos that will be culled and pressure canned for quick chicken for casseroles, soup etc this winter.

Jane

 

[fullhouse]

We culled at 14-15 weeks. We had an older one (17 weeks), and he was a bit tougher. They were on 20% protein feed and free ranged, dressed between 2.5 and 3.5 pounds each. I was happy with them. Great grilled split in half.

 

[nivtup]

We just culled 10 Roos at 17 weeks, dinner was very good last night.

Crock Pot, 8-9 hours, very good, fell off the bones, tender, did I say it was good?

 

[Nuggetsowner:)]

We have also culled a rooster. He was about 19 weeks old. We ate him the next day! I had grilled him with a beer on a holder. I have not heard of the whole you can't eat a rooster that is .... old. I really don't think it would matter except maybe how you cook or prepare him. I hope this helps.

 

[momofchicks]

I would do it now! We did ours at 15 weeks and just ate one of them tonight. My first time by the way and he was very tender. I cooked him whole in the roasting pan in the oven for 1 1/2 hours. He only weighed 3 1/4 pounds, but he was very very good.

 

[max13077]

Thanks everybody!