how to tell when to butcher

[sallyjayd]

I have Cornish Rock (meat chickens) how can I tell when they are at their biggest or big enough to butcher? I think they look big but I think they are all feathers.

About how much of their weight is guts, feathers, leg, necks (unusable stuff)

 

[chickenwhisperer123]

I really have no idea, but Im sure someone does!!

Good Luck!
Jason

 

[debakadeb]

They should be ready around the time they are 8 weeks old.

 

[ging3rhoffman]

We have white rocks and they are going to be proceed at 12 weeks old.

 

[sallyjayd]

4 of they are at least 7 week and they look really big but only weight like 4lbs... and that's everything bones guts and all..

 

[The Rooster]

Then they're probably ready if they are 7 weeks old. I usualyy watch mine closely when they get to be 5 or 6 weeks. They ones with the biggest legs go first so I don't have to deal with broken legs.

 

[juliebee]

We got ours on April 17. We started butchering them sunday. They weighed 8 pounds live, 5 1/2 to 6 pounds dressed. That is a good size for us as it is just my husband and I. Also those were the males. The hens weighed around 6 live and 4 butchered.
Hope this helps. ALSO make sure that you have bought the 2 gallon baggies for the big ones. We had to make an emergency run to the store. This is our first time and I cant wait to try them out for supper!!

 

[antlers]

or you can be funny and say when your run out of money to feed them or are hungery!

 

[Brunty_Farms]

Put them on a higher protein feed for about 10 days than butcher. Sounds like they are on too low of a protein.