i just recieved my order from ideal . came with 13 barred rock "Males for warmth ". i want to fatten them up for slaughter latter . i have been feeding them broiler crumbles . will they even be worth doing ? when should i slaughter? i really didnt want any roos , my 30 hens are enough .
I have been thinking the same thing. I have 14 Packing Peanuts. I am not sure if they are Barred Rock Males or Black Sex Link Males, but either way, I think they will be good for eatting. I think I have read on BYC that most butcher at 18 - 20 weeks. But I am not sure. I will wait with you for others to reply.
Switch em over to Layer crumbles, its got a higher protien, they'll get fatter faster. I butchered several of my extra roosters at 15 weeks and they were to small, the only dressed out at about 2 pounds each. You wont get alot of meat off them, but with 13 of them, you could make a few good dinners out of them. Depending on how long you let them grow, you could get a nice decent sized bird, just dont expect what you see at the store out of your birds, and you'll be fine. Be sure to let them sit for a few days, and put them in a marinade or brine solution. They'll be tender. Hope this helps.
Quote:layer feeds have LESS protein than broiler and starters. protein does not create fat. carbs can be processed then stored as fat. Barred Rocks will not be a meaty bird, and it will take 15-17 wks. for a decent size.(and the drumsticks may be tough.) it will cost more to raise them than feeding a bird meant to be a broiler.
Would the calcium in the layer also hurt them? Or are the not living long enough to realize the potential damage? Maybe you can butcher them much earlier to get a 'cornish hen' sized bird - wasting less money and still getting a little something extra...
