New to butchering

[Dragonfly_Acre]

Hi guys....
I have raised chickens for eggs for about 4 years and recently ordered a few (6) Jumbo Cornish Rocks for butchering. They are 11 weeks old and have been free ranged.

Of course I'm the world's worst procrastinator...meaning I'm avoiding the inevitable...but I think I read that they should be butchered at 8 weeks if confined and 13 weeks if free ranged.

Does this sound right...and do I have 2 more weeks before they're too...ummm....tough (stew hens)?

 

[skeeter]

go by how much they weigh and not by age

 

[mmajw]

Go by how big you want them not age. I have mine in an outdoor run each year that I get them and I butcher at 8 weeks and they range from 10-12 lbs dressed weight.

 

[GallowayFarms]

ya tough meat on a chicken is years and not so much weeks. Like they said weigh the birds and see if there is enough meat to feed what you want to feed. family of 4 etc.