Processing and Eating Pullets

[SIMZ]

Hi! Do any of you process dual purpose pullets or raise them specifically for meat? Is the best time to process them the same as cockerels - around 18-20 weeks?

I've always sold the extra females or needed them for layers. I thought dual-purpose meat birds wouldn't work for me because I can't have the crowing, and have to process males way too early to get much meat. But why not process the extra females, right? I have a batch of Black Copper Marans/Dark Cornish that I hatched just for this purpose.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

You can. They taste just like chicken. It's kind of a shame to butcher POL pullets when you can probably sell them for 10 or 15 each.

 

[SIMZ]

You can. They taste just like chicken. It's kind of a shame to butcher POL pullets when you can probably sell them for 10 or 15 each.

Agreed - which is why I never do - although I rarely get $10-$15.

 

[donrae]

I'm in the camp that sells them instead. I get $20 each so simply can't justify butchering them.
You might search Ridgerunner's posts, he's posted about butchering Pullets of various ages. I think they add fat as they age, so younger Pullets are going to be pretty lean.

 

[SIMZ]

I'm in the camp that sells them instead. I get $20 each so simply can't justify butchering them.
You might search Ridgerunner's posts, he's posted about butchering Pullets of various ages. I think they add fat as they age, so younger Pullets are going to be pretty lean.

Thanks! I'll look for his posts!