Killing roosters that were raised for laying?

[kmcdermid]

We have a 4 month old rooster that we bought as a day old chick hoping it would be laying female one day. He has been raised with 3 other day old chicks (now growing hens) and all have been fed on layer/all purpose crumble and allowed to free range in our yard. We would like to slaughter him now for meat but my question is whether it's safe to eat him since he has never eaten medicated feed or been vaccinated. He looks extremely healthy (he's a beautiful, shiny Australorp), has never been ill, and is a good weight. It seems like such a waste to have to get rid of him any other way but we want to be safe especially as we will be feeding the meat to our 5 year old daughter. Any advice would be hugely appreciated!!

 

[jerseygirl1]

I would think he's fine to eat, I plan on doing the same to my extra roos.

 

[The Tinman]

Yum Yum eat em up! You raised him from a chick. He is probaly heathier than any store bought chicken.

 

[annageckos]

I would think it would be safer to eat unmediated/unvaccinated birds. Vaccines have some nasty things in them.

 

[Sir Birdaholic]

I would much rather eat a non-medicated roo, reater one that has been "contaminated". The cows I get to butcher have never seen medication, & it's the best tasting meat I've ever eaten!

 

[KatyTheChickenLady]

Yes it is safe and fine. In fact there is a withdrawl period prior to butcher if you had medicated/vacinated him.

 

[carrlr]

People have been doing that for generations. Kudos to you. Enjoy!!

 

[cluckcluck42]

My two RIR x EE mix roosters were absolutely delicious. We have more roosters that were by products of our laying hens and we are eager to eat them. They had SO much dark meat, yum. Thanks Hansel and Princess, you were so delicious and I hope you enjoyed your time on this earth.

 

[jjparke]

Yum homegrown free ranged roosters are delicious. Should have some nice really dark meat on the legs. It's very rich. Very good.

 

[noahsark]

We raised our first batch of heirloom straight run, on organic, non medicated food, because we do not want that in our bodys..I hear alot of talk about the difference in rooster meat..this worrys me, as I have 25 cockerals freedom rangers tommorow coming from the hatchery..Is there a difference in hen meat if butchered by 12 weeks? I was told NOT...Ive noticed that the heirloom roosters we just harvested had hardly any breast at all...Wondering if thats a breed thing, or a free range thing?