If I had to could I harvest early evening a rooster that has free ranged all day and had food available. What would be my concerns?
Messy gizzards and stomach contents would be spilled out. Not an issue if you are going to skin them and take out breast, legs with the contents intact. We have done it both ways and there isn't a hard and fast rule that you have to fast them. It is almost like killing a deer and rabbits, just gut them and taking care not to puncture organs.
Thank you, I have a 5 lbs. Roo that just began crowing. He is about 16 weeks old. Do you think I should wait a little longer? I do not know the breed as he is a mix I picked him up as a hen from a local guy in the Spring. He will be my first harvest. The evening is better to harvest as my daughters will be out.
I read that if you part the breast feathers and look at their skin, pink or yellow flesh means ready red or purple-ish means wait. Also check out this link https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/how-to-process-a-chicken-at-home
Like the OP said, it doesn't matter as long as you're careful and don't puncture the organs. Remember the final processed weight will be around 2/3 live weight, so if he's 5 lbs now, you'll have a 3 lb roaster. I personally would wait a bit - seems small for all the work that's involved with raising and feeding, etc. But it would be easier to handle if this is your first time to try it out