How long does it take a plymouth rock to get big enough to butcher?

[phoenixmama]

Subject says it all! Thanks!

 

[Cats Critters]

I have heard 16 weeks.

 

[sparkles2307]

We are going with 20 weeks for ours.

 

[Bassleg]

Just before they start to crow!!

 

[Freebird]

Quote:
This is the second post I've seen about processing before they start crowing, so I'm confused. Sounds like an old wives tale, to me. About half of the roos I've had started crowing by their 8th week, which is WAY too early to process a non-hybrid meat bird unless you don't want any meat on your bones. A heavy breed roo...I'd wait until at least 15 or 16 weeks, minimum.

 

[chickabator]

we just processed ours at 20 weeks they were already crowing and dressed out pretty good they will make some good dumplings or soup later on. I have 8 cobbs growing and am thinking about getting me some more cornish x rocks this fall to put up for winter.

 

[warmfuzzies]

Crowing early depends on what breed you have, some reash sexual maturity before others.

I have three plymouth rock roos, they are around our months old and are weighing in at around 4-5 lbs. We will try to do it before they crow, but who knows. They were free ranged, so they are growing much slower then some.
I am hoping for 7-8 lbs.