I can't believe you guys really eat these things.

[Denninmi]

My first Coturnix (a mixture of breeds/colors) are about 4 weeks old now.

In handling them, they still can't weigh more than a few ounces.

I gather that you can start processing them at 6 weeks, and they are fully grown at about 8 weeks.

Unless these things really bulk up in the next 4 weeks, I just can't imagine that they would be worth the bother to process and eat them. It just seems like it would be an awful lot of work for the equivalent of a chicken McNugget's worth or so of meat.

Am I missing something here?

 

[Stellar]

I don't know. I am not a processor gal. I raise these guys for eggs

 

[Denninmi]

Well, I'm not either, I am just sort of in disbelief that these things are big enough to eat.

I will use the excess eggs that I don't want to hatch.

The entirety of my "flock" is perfectly safe.

I do, however, keep telling my family that I intend to "dress" my 6 turkeys for Thanksgiving. The only thing about that is, I can't figure out how the little pilgrim hats will stay on their heads.

 

[secretquail]

I never think they are big enough after 8 weeks. I end up waiting 3 or 4 months to let em bulk up a bit. They are tiny, but if you process 2 or 3 per person, it should be enough. That is unless you are used to the trough at Golden Corral!

 

[Rozzie]

Mine are just for eggs (and pets).

 

[Boggy Bottom Bantams]

yep, they dont make a lot, bob whites are the way to go fo eating birds, much more to one of them

 

[cathunter10]

Quote:
The kids or the turkeys.
Bill

 

[pascopol]

Jumbo coturnix and Texas A&M white are super gourmet delicacy.

I do not see any difference in taste between them and Chukars.

I raised and ate them both this year.

2 coturnix jumbo birds are a portion for a hungry person.

Now I am going for Butlers LOL


I guess they will be great eating to, a bit larger than coturnix, but they take much longer to raise and feed.

 

[Sir Birdaholic]

I raise jumbo Brown Cotournix, & I butcher 4 for DW & I per meal.

 

[pascopol]

Quote:
Yes you are missing that if you want to eat coturnix you need to raise jumbo browns or Texas A&M's from reputable breeder, instead of anything else called "coturnix". I raise and enjoy both. They are ready for butchering at 8-10 weeks. They should reach 14-16 oz per bird if you feed them correctly.

Just set 60 eggs in my bator LOL

Obviously eggs are delicious and nutritious too !