Getting 30 chicks unsexed

[jatsma]

We're getting 30 chicks at the end of May and they will be all unsexed. We will be keeping the layers and maybe a rooster as well, and we'll be eating the roosters but I was wondering when the ladys and roosters grow up do we have to separate them and how do we separate them or can we even keep the roosters together or leave them in with the hens and butcher them when ready? And when would the roosters be ready to eat. I am very new to this and want to get it right the fist go around. Thank you in advance!!

 

[red horse ranch]

It depends on the breed as far as when you can harvest the males. I have a lot of different breeds but most of the males can be harvested by
3 1/2 to 4 months old for fryers. 6 to 7 months old makes a meatier chicken usually.
I keep all my young ones together until the males are ready to harvest. But too many males can be hard on the females when they all start to mature at around 5 months old so I try to reduce the rooster population before the hens start to lay eggs.