How long to raise Naked-necks?

[Jane11]

We just butchered our 15 Naked-necks at 12 weeks old (as this is the age they stated in an article to butcher) and they seemed really small to me. I know grocery store birds are bigger due to breed and other things but they were really small. When I order a new batch for our next rotation of butchering should I let them grow for 16 weeks? 20 weeks?
Picture shows my friend holding two of the ones we butchered yesterday. Thanks!

 

[Molpet]

I start harvesting heritage at 16 wks. Depends on how you want to cook them.

 

[Morrigan]

12 weeks is on the young side. I've butchered naked neck cockerels around the 14 week mark. I recall them being around 3 1/2 pounds, which I thought was good for a heritage bird of that age.

A lot also depends on the stock the birds came from Naked Necks were originally intended as a meat bird, and the ones I originally got were sold as meat birds. They were decently sized and shaped. But, a lot are now being bred with more focus on the novelty of their looks and as a "fancy" type egg/pet chicken. The size and meat qualities can vary considerably.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Naked necks aren't going to get close to the same size as cornish cross, unfortunately. A live 5lb bird would be pretty dang great before they're too tough