question - pheasant / butchering

[soap&eggs]

hi. i dont come to this page very often, so maybe it has been asked and answered in the past. if so i am sorry for repeated questions. at what age would you butcher ringnecks ? or better asked , what would be the youngest age to butcher, what age is recommended by most who have done so ?...do you feather pluck or skin them ?........also, if i am to keep some pheasants for own stock, is it best to keep male who feathered out earlier & a bit more aggressive in pen, instead of the slower developing ones, for breeding purposes ? ...thank you for any info you can give.

 

[soap&eggs]

51 lookers..and yet no one could answer questions asked?

 

[bluegoose]

Hello, I butcher my pheasants at about 8 months old.I tried younger and older and found this age the best. I always skin them its faster but you loose the flavor the skin gives the meat its a matter of taste and time.I always keep the roosters that mature the fastest and have good coloring. for the aggressive part to much is a bad thing they will beat the day lights out of your hens if you dont have enough hens to keep them happy.I hope this helps it works for me.

 

[soap&eggs]

thank you bluegoose for answers...i was beginning to think everyone from site went on a long vacation !!!! 8 months old for butchering... which means i will be butchering in feburary...brrrr !!!! .....do you usually only do the males and save hens for eggs / chicks ?? or just do what ever you have avaiable ? thanks once again.

 

[bluegoose]

I only butcher the roosters and keep the hens for the eggs and or sell them.I sell there eggs it helps pay for there feed.the more hens the more eggs=$ and that helps.

 

[soap&eggs]

thank you once again bluegoose for the helpful info.....

 

[Steve_of_sandspoultry]

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[gobblerunfarms]

Quote:
exactly. and i will butcher both males and females. mostly males though because i have not much need for them once i get more breeders started.

 

[Steve_of_sandspoultry]

delete

 

[soap&eggs]

thanks steve for reply. at what age would you guess yours to be when they are filled out ? mine just hatched so will be awhile before they will be ready for table.