Fattening up a dual purpose roo

Ours have also been stringy, but they were between 6 and 8 months old at the time of processing (we waited a little too long). I think everyone tries something a little different... I get a lot of great answers here as well as from folks we talk to in the local feed stores and markets (everybody out here raises SOMETHING). I had one fella tell me that he processes all his DPs at 20 to 24 weeks, depending on the bird, and that he does not free range the DPs he's processing for the last two weeks, keeps them in a small pen area, and feeds them nothing but corn and scratch, no protein for the final two weeks and nothing at all for 12 to 24 hours before processing. He also feeds them (their whole lives) pork maker feed rather than chicken feed. We have started giving the pork maker to our DP birds now & they love it, plus it's like 24% or 26% protein. Good stuff.

We are just getting started as well, so I will join you in waiting for better answers by those that are more experienced.

 

Hi lynnemabry,

I would think he shouldn't be tough unless he's been actively jumping hens. That's if I've understood his age correctly (about 16 weeks?).

You can put a rooster in a cage on grass (like a tractor) if you want to soften the meat a little. Limiting exercise will help relax the meat. As long as he can see the hens and isn't stressed it's not a bad thing to do for a week or two.

If I want to fatten cockerels, I always make up a mash of whatever the other birds are getting, using lightly soured skim milk. Oatmeal is a great mash ingredient for fattening.

cheers
Erica

 

Lots of old timers used to feed them raw milk starting a couple weeks before slaughter. Don't know if that will have the same effect as soured pasteurized milk or not, but both are a source of protien and fat, so maybe they're equal.