Processing Roos!

[Pokes79]

I hatched a some Ameracaunas about 10 weeks ago and some are roosters. I can't really have roosters at my place since I have my small flock in town. When I the best age to process these guys and also should I feed them anything special before processing?

 

[Mahonri]

Usually 16 weeks for most dual purpose breeds but EEs are slow so I imagine you can wait till about 20 weeks with them.

I would feed them grower with scratch. Some folks starve their birds for 24 to 36 hours before processing. We never did that when we processed birds years ago.

I'm old now and since I name all of my birds, I don't have the heart to process anymore... much to the chagrin of DW.

 

[Sunny Side Up]

Americana roos can get nice & meaty for you, but they probably won't be ready until at least 16 weeks, more like 18-20. There may be some special feed you could use to coax a few more ounces on them, but I don't know if that's worth the extra cost. I think that specialty broiler booster feed is for those hybrid meat birds designed to grow out fast.

Depending on the current situation in the flock & who I have to feed & house where, I will sometimes keep my standard meaties on chick start & grow feed until they're butchered. Other times, if I need to save the extra $$, I'll give them layer pellets after about 10 weeks or so. Sometimes I'll kick them out of the coop first thing in the morning & let them roam the yard finding things of their own to eat for most of the day.

The night before butchering I put the candidates in a wire rabbit cage with no feed, just water. It helps get their crops & most of their intestines cleared out. That also makes it easy to catch them when it's their turn at the table.

 

[Bossroo]

The thing is ... the maturing roos will set the alarm clock for 3:00 AM rise and shine, long before they are plump enough to join you for dinner. Being in town a neighbor or two may not enjoy the early seranade and may let you know about it in a few lively words to outmatch the chorus. I would recommend that the roos are invited to a broth bath party at first musical note. Sleep tight !