Hello. Getting back into chickens after about 8 years

[EmmaJ]

Hello,
I'm starting to get back into chickens after about 8 years. I had chickens about 8 years ago. I ended up with them being totally free range after having them for about 4 years when we started raising our own beef to eat. Last time I had started out with pullets bought from TSC and some free roosters that were given to me by a guy I bought hay from. This time I bought 2 dozen hatching eggs and have them in the incubator (thanks to a very nice couple from Lupton, MI). They should be about to start hatching this Wednesday, if not sooner. Last time, we only ate their eggs. This time, I plan on eating the eggs and the meat. I plan on keeping all the hens for laying and keeping 1 or two of the cockerels I get from this bunch and butchering the remaining cockerels. I have a question though. I have read that cockerels don't taste good. I wanted to butcher all of them for roasting. They say to butcher them at 5-6 months. Does anyone have any input on this? How old to butcher cockerels for best taste/meat quality?
I'm normally just a lurker. Looking around for answers that may all ready be in someones thread. But, since I haven't found the answer to the above question, I had to ask. LOL.
Thanks,
EmmaJ
South Branch, MI

 

[TwoCrows]

Welcome to BYC! Great to have you back into the chicken world. Once it gets into your blood, it is hard to dig those feathers out of your skin.

Cockerels taste just as good as pullets. It depends on when and how you butcher them, causing the least amount of stress at butcher time and of course chilling them out in the frig for 24 hours to let the meat relax and not be tough. 16 to 20 weeks is the norm for most butcher time of dual purpose breeds.

This is the place to be when you own poultry! If you have any other questions, that is what BYC is here for!

Enjoy your new found adventures!

 

[Telecaster68]

It is true that cockerels have more muscle on them even at a young age, but just remember any chicken tastes good after taking a crock pot bath for six hours. I can already smell the barbeque chicken.

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome To BYC! Good luck with your hatch! Cockerels make a tasty meal, slow cooked especially! If you are used to cornish X type birds, the duel purpose or slower growing males won't look or cook or taste like them, but they are great in soups, stews, crock potted etc, and make nice fryers. You might check out the Meat Birds section for some ideas on raising / preparing whatever types you will be raising https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/21/meat-birds-etc

 

[gander007]