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This is actually highly dependent on both breed and the rearing environment. If you're raising ornamental breeds -- EEs, Sultans, Hamburghs, Polish, et. al. -- buying $15/bag Layena or the like and keeping them penned 24/7 then yes, it's best to go ahead and cull ASAP. But there are a good number of breeds -- many of which are known for egg laying today but were once dual purpose or even meat breeds -- whose cockerels make nice table birds and they absolutely can be raised out economically. I do it every day.
I hear you. We usually "dispatch" our roosters, but I think I might be finally able to raise them to eat. Seems a waste not to, now that I think of it (don't tell my kids). We been vegetarian for years and years, but lately have wanted to add pasture raised meat to our diet from time to time. What's a good age to harvest a rooster that's not a Cornish X?
If you have an ornamental breed Opa's advice is sound, otherwise, for the dual purpose table birds you're looking at 14-20 weeks for best results. The exact age will depend on the breed, strain from within that breed and your rearing method. Some breeds are faster growing than others, some strains within a breed are faster growing and penned birds will grow slightly faster than free ranged birds.
Contrary to popular belief even with free ranged birds with wide ranging abilities the meat will be tender at this age. It will also be infinitely more flavorful and the texture is incomparable. You can grill, sautee, bake, roast, fry... the sky is the limit. Enjoy!
Yeah, I'm thinking about culling the mean one, Even our full grown EE rooster doesn't have a lot of meat on his bones.