Fattening my Extra's

[wohneli]

First, let me say that I am a rookie.
I have 3 BR roo's that came as extras when I ordered my girls from the hatchery. They are a 13 weeks now and I was wondering:
1- Are they to old to be good to eat?
2- If they will be good to eat, can I maximize their size in a relatively short period?
Thaks in advance for any advice.
W

 

[Acre of Blessings]

I would just go ahead and butcher them and have a great dinner. Good age to do so. I don't think you can fatten them up in a short period of time since they are not breed to grow fast like cornish X's are.

 

[the1much]

i dont think you can get them bigger, unless you wait,,, my last eaten roo was 9 months old,, and he was GREAT!

 

[ChickenToes]

The average age to butcher is 15 weeks. So you have a few more weeks to let them get nice and plump.

 

[wohneli]

Thanks all,
I think that I'm gonna isolate them in the smaller cage and up their protein for a week or so and then eat 'em.

 

[Acre of Blessings]

Quote:
Sound as if maybe you can put an extra pound on them. Are you going to feed them 24/7 to accomplish this?

 

[wohneli]

If I can keep up with their appetitie (sp?).

 

[wohneli]

I am feeding them (the Roo's) the normal food I make (oats, bird seed, corn meal) and boiled chicken liver and gizzards. THink this will be ok?

 

[wohneli]

The diet I gave them did a nice job - they all grew a bunch. Killed, plucked and butchered my first chickens today. I think I can do it again - maybe try some meat birds next time.
S

 

[becky3086]

Oats, bird seed and corn meal, sounds intersting but I wonder if it wasn't cheaper just to buy chicken feed?