How do YOU choose which meaties get butchered first?

[schmije]

I have 30 heavy breed roosters that are about a month shy of being fully ready to butcher. We decided that we want to do the first 10 next week. We don't have any specific ones that are a problem (fighting, excessive crowing, etc), so we just want to get the biggest ones. How do you figure out which ones are the biggest?

We thought about turning them all loose in a pen, and banding them all as small, medium and large. Then on butchering day, we can pull out all the green bands, for example. We don't have a scale that will work for this, but we thought we could pick them all up and get an idea of big vs small. Does anybody have suggestions for making this easier?

 

[al6517]

Pick the bigger ones first. Pick it up and hold it examining the meat depending on the breed it may have more feathers than meat and when processing time comes you may be disappointed in the results.

AL

 

[schmije]

Our breeds are Barred Rock, Buff Orp and RIR, so I assume they'll be fairly meaty. They're pretty big boys.

We considered making a hanger to put on a fish scale and hanging them on it by their feet. Has anybody done this?

 

[al6517]

Quote:
I fear you will be surprised that they may look like one of those rubber chicken prop's the comedians use. I raise meat birds and have processed these breeds before, so I know what your going to get. I will use them for stock or or as an ingrediant in various recipes, but not for anything else like a meal in it self.

AL

 

[KatyTheChickenLady]

I use a fish scale and a bucket.

 

[oldchickenlady]

Why not just the first 10 you can catch? Waay easier than weighing all the birds...JMO

 

[schmije]

Quote:
This is an option, but since they're not quite full grown yet, we'd like to get the biggest ones if we can and let the smaller ones grow for a few more weeks.

 

[Raiquee]

The tastiest looking ones!

No but really, I wouldn't go through the trouble of weighing. Just lift and do a general "feel" and the banding idea is a great one! Good luck!

 

[PunkinPeep]

Feeling of the "drumstick" area is a decent gauge. Not fool proof, but it will give you an idea.

Oh and in response to Al's comment about dual purpose chickens for meals.....i don't know that i'll ever eat anything else. They're wonderful. I cook the whole bird and have it for dinner. Even if it's smaller than what you're used to, it still makes a meal, and a very tasty one. It's our preconceptions that make them seem inappropriate for eating. We just have to renew our minds and enjoy the good life.

 

[sonew123]

I have 26 meaties and I will also do it in 2 different times-Ill grab the biggest first then save all teh smaller ones for a few weeks later