Excess roosters

[SimplyLogan]

I have been searching on here and cant seem to find anything posted yet. I was wondering how you keep your excess roosters you plan on eating. Do you keep all the chicks together or will the roo's start fighting because of the hens? If I plan to butcher them, do i move them to their own pen until they are of good size?

 

[Frankie Ruiz]

Typically they won't start fighting until they reach sexual maturity. If you plan to butcher them within the first 5 or 6 months you should be fine from my experience. 6 months MIGHT be pushing it a little bit though.

 

[Mrs. K]

Right now I have two roosters that are 4 1/2 months, they will be butchered tomorrow. Caught one on one of the younger (flock mate), just juvenile antics but I have an older rooster in the flock that still keeps things in line, but trouble is coming, so I am culling tomorrow.

 

[SimplyLogan]

You just keep them with the flock till that time, unless problems arise?

 

[aart]

I keep mine with the flock until they start causing trouble, around 4 months old......
.....then they get butchered, still young enough to grill the meat and the grilled bones still make excellent stock.

 

[SimplyLogan]

I keep mine with the flock until they start causing trouble, around 4 months old......
.....then they get butchered, still young enough to grill the meat and the grilled bones still make excellent stock.

Great to know. I do make my own stock and still able to grill is a plus.

 

[RogerTheChicken]

I have 25 roosters and none of them ever fight

 

[aart]

Quote: From what I've read (ALOT) over the past couple years, I've come to the conclusion.......
......that the 4 month mark is the line between having to slow cook/stew and cooking other ways like grilling, frying, baking, broiling, etc.

 

[SimplyLogan]

I have 25 roosters and none of them ever fight

Are they alone or with hens? If you have them with hens, do you have a lot of hens. My plan is to eat the extras and make stock. I just don't want fighting or injured chickens while waiting for the roos to come to a good weight.

 

[Mrs. K]

Yes, I keep them with the flock. When they get frisky, then it is time to butcher. So you have to keep an eye on your flock, if they are starting to chase hens, if there is tension in the flock then that time has come. It is not an exact, 4 months later, however, 4 months is a good time to take a look around.

Mrs K