Managing your flock, too many rooster, at what age ....

[chickenchickenbulkbulk]

is the best to cull your Roos to put in freezer? When are they the most tender and full? My husband and I have decided to live more off of the land. It is healthier. I would appreciate any input.

 

[digitS']

I have stopped raising roosters or meat chickens in the backyard so my answer is based on surplus pullets. The last cockerel that sneaked into the batch of pullets was re-homed as soon as I knew that he was out there. I think it was about 8 weeks.

It looks like you have dual purpose breeds for the most part. They won't grow anywhere near as fast as the Cornish X that is usually kept for meat production. I say "kept" but being around for 7 or 8 weeks isn't much "keeping."

Extra pullets here stay for about 15 or 16 weeks so they've got twice as long a run as the Cornish X I've had. They don't eat feed nearly as fast so they aren't a heck of a lot more expensive, if at all.

I wouldn't keep roosters a day longer than they are tolerable to have around, however. Whenever that magic switch is thrown that sets them off fighting for breeding rights - they would go off to "freezer camp" if they were in my backyard. Any feed conversion to weight gain is going to be very poor from that point on.

Steve

 

[WestKnollAmy]

I try not to keep any extra roos past 6 months old. Sometimes we just don't get around to putting them in the freezer until this age but we prefer to put them in the freezer no later than 4 months old. Life often gets in the way and it doesn't work out. I still have 2 here that are really getting the flock stirred up and I need to dispatch them quickly. Maybe tomorrow, if we get time.

 

[honeyk]

We just ended up with 3 roosters that were supposed to be hens.
They began to get really feisty ( at about 17 weeks) and started attacking the girls...so off to the processor they went. It was the first time I ever did that and i was afraid I would not be able to deal with it. But , one is in the freezer and 2 became chicken cacciatore. And.... they were absolutely delectable. Best chicken ever...did not even have a problem enjoying them. I know we took great care in raising them and their lives were happy so I am happy too.

 

[chickenchickenbulkbulk]

our roos are different ages the oldest are 9months and the youngest about 5months. I guess we need to put them in the freezer before they get any older. Thanks a lot for your input. This in our first year..still learning and I hope I never know it all. DeeJay