Quote:
Because Buffy taste good.
But they're so nice!!!
Because Buffy taste good.
But they're so nice!!!
Orpingtons?
- Thread starter Luvmybob
- Start date
I bought Orpingtons for a good dual-purpose chicken and I was wondering if anyone has done the same. I'm new to all of this and really would like advice about when the average age is to butcher an orpington?
Orps are classic DP birds. They've been around now for over a hundred years. At one time they were highly recommended and were in the top five for meat and egg production.
The average age to butcher is when you want to. No one can tell you what is absolute, especially nowadays, when everyone is into "Doing Whatever Moves You."
However, there are some generally accepted (traditional ) gradings for poultry, which include loose timetables. This applies to what we like to call "heritage" birds.
Keep in mind that this name,"heritage," didn't exist until recent times. Through the 1960's, the dual purpose bird was really the only game in town. The genetically selected "meat chicken" common today was still waiting in the wings (no pun intended).
That being said, it seems fair to use the criteria that has historically applied to the dual purpose bird:
8-12 weeks - "Broilers" 2.5 lbs dressed weight
14-20 weeks - "Fryers" 3.5 lbs dressed
5-9 months - "Roasters" Over 3.5 lbs, dressed
You may find that these weights undershoot today's results somewhat, especially in the backyard flock. There have been significant advances in both breeding and feed composition, and to be honest, backyard birds have a better life. Meaning, of course, they have the chance to grow bigger in their allotted time!
When to butcher also has much to do with your situation. Cockerels are better at the table when butchered young. If they are to be held longer to achieve higher weights, they should be confined - and far away from females.
Remember the point of the dual purpose bird: to lay eggs and provide an acceptable carcass for eating. In all ways, it is a compromise.
Orps are classic DP birds. They've been around now for over a hundred years. At one time they were highly recommended and were in the top five for meat and egg production.
The average age to butcher is when you want to. No one can tell you what is absolute, especially nowadays, when everyone is into "Doing Whatever Moves You."
However, there are some generally accepted (traditional ) gradings for poultry, which include loose timetables. This applies to what we like to call "heritage" birds.
Keep in mind that this name,"heritage," didn't exist until recent times. Through the 1960's, the dual purpose bird was really the only game in town. The genetically selected "meat chicken" common today was still waiting in the wings (no pun intended).
That being said, it seems fair to use the criteria that has historically applied to the dual purpose bird:
8-12 weeks - "Broilers" 2.5 lbs dressed weight
14-20 weeks - "Fryers" 3.5 lbs dressed
5-9 months - "Roasters" Over 3.5 lbs, dressed
You may find that these weights undershoot today's results somewhat, especially in the backyard flock. There have been significant advances in both breeding and feed composition, and to be honest, backyard birds have a better life. Meaning, of course, they have the chance to grow bigger in their allotted time!
When to butcher also has much to do with your situation. Cockerels are better at the table when butchered young. If they are to be held longer to achieve higher weights, they should be confined - and far away from females.
Remember the point of the dual purpose bird: to lay eggs and provide an acceptable carcass for eating. In all ways, it is a compromise.
... if they start crowing, does that make the meat bad, or no?
Crowing in and of itself has nothing to do with meat quality. But it is a harbinger of climbing testosterone levels, which in turn signal the growth of fibroid muscle tissue.
Once they start to crow, and if left to simply wander, breed and fight, they will become tougher and less succulent at the table.
Coincidentally, this occurs at about 12 weeks.
Crowing in and of itself has nothing to do with meat quality. But it is a harbinger of climbing testosterone levels, which in turn signal the growth of fibroid muscle tissue.
Once they start to crow, and if left to simply wander, breed and fight, they will become tougher and less succulent at the table.
Coincidentally, this occurs at about 12 weeks.
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"Remember the point of the dual purpose bird: to lay eggs and provide an acceptable carcass for eating. In all ways, it is a compromise."
WOW, thank you so much, you've helped me soooo much!! In my case I think around 18-20 weeks, they look pretty thick around that time.
WOW, thank you so much, you've helped me soooo much!! In my case I think around 18-20 weeks, they look pretty thick around that time.
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Quote:
Yes, I have one roo and 2 hens. I'm going to breed them for food. Why? Is that too little?
No it's an okay start, just make sure he's not ahem... overly attentive, if so you may need to increas his harem (I'd let him breed them all, and harvest from there untill you have enough BO to have a pure maiting flock).
Some places limit birds via zoning and 5 is the max in several cities here, so I was wondering if it was butchering a roo that was supposed to be a pullet (I'll be doing this next weekend, wanted a 2nd batch of pure eggs for the bator first). Just curious, our meat birds are raised at my grandparents' outside of town, as raising meating with the 5 limit just seems... goofy.
Now if your goal is to not need to order chicks again, they make a solid bird for the independantly minded.
Yes, I have one roo and 2 hens. I'm going to breed them for food. Why? Is that too little?
No it's an okay start, just make sure he's not ahem... overly attentive, if so you may need to increas his harem (I'd let him breed them all, and harvest from there untill you have enough BO to have a pure maiting flock).
Some places limit birds via zoning and 5 is the max in several cities here, so I was wondering if it was butchering a roo that was supposed to be a pullet (I'll be doing this next weekend, wanted a 2nd batch of pure eggs for the bator first). Just curious, our meat birds are raised at my grandparents' outside of town, as raising meating with the 5 limit just seems... goofy.
Now if your goal is to not need to order chicks again, they make a solid bird for the independantly minded.
Luvmybob, You are completely correct. Orpies are one of the quintessential dual purpose birds.
I have a couple of them in my layer flock that have been with me from the start. One of them, "Sweetie Pie," is hands down the nicest hen I've ever seen. She's more like a dog than a chicken. All the other birds are a little bit standoffish and hesitant. Sweetie Pie runs over and standing at your feet, looks at you like "pick me up stupid!" Then if you don't, you'll have some nice bloody peck marks on your legs. She doesn't accept no for an answer! She'll sit with you softly clucking and accepting praise as you pet her waddle and neck.
I just couldn't imagine eating her!!
I have a couple of them in my layer flock that have been with me from the start. One of them, "Sweetie Pie," is hands down the nicest hen I've ever seen. She's more like a dog than a chicken. All the other birds are a little bit standoffish and hesitant. Sweetie Pie runs over and standing at your feet, looks at you like "pick me up stupid!" Then if you don't, you'll have some nice bloody peck marks on your legs. She doesn't accept no for an answer! She'll sit with you softly clucking and accepting praise as you pet her waddle and neck.
I just couldn't imagine eating her!!
Quote:
Because Buffy taste good.
But they're so nice!!!
My BO roo named "flogger" did not get that memo.
Because Buffy taste good.
But they're so nice!!!
My BO roo named "flogger" did not get that memo.
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