Processed my Buff Orphingtons

[Island Roo]

My Buff Orps hatched Apr 2 as well - but I was planning to take them to 20 weeks.

Not sure I can wait 4 more weeks

 

[SIMZ]

Good looking birds! It makes me look forward to processing day for the rowdy boys in my meat pen. I'm going to try to get them to around 16 weeks as well.........although their constant party-horn sounding crowing might ruin that plan.

 

[what did I do]

That looks good. I have some barred rock roosters that I will do in 2 weeks. I bet they look that good too.

 

[seahoob]

I recently hatched (6 weeks) 10 BBC x Orpington for the purpose of experimenting with multipurpose meat birds. I will be continuing them on organic chick start until they are 8 weeks and then intend to switch them over to a high protein meat builder feed. I am going to isolate them from my layers so I am sure they eat the high protein diet instead of lay crumble. From reading the information everyone provide above, I will most likely process them from between 16 - 20 weeks. I figure, why pay for cornish crosses if you have fertile eggs coming at your disposal.

My past experience with culling a few BBC and Buff Orpingington roos, they are delicious but boney. Hopefully, I can get some meat on there bodies with a higher protein diet.

Thanks for all the good points made in this thread.

Sean

 

[Habibs Hens]

Buff Orpingtons are some of the hardest to feather sex. I know because i work in a hatchery.

im not sying your wrong but i had 3 hatch and i wing tip sexed them to be pullets and now at an age ranging 8 -15 weeks old they are what i sexed them... Pullets