Roosters!

[mjodic]

We are new to raising chickens (although we both grew up on farms) but when we bought our chicks at the feed and seed in town we ended up with 6 roosters and 6 hens. My question is since the roosters are now 6 months old, what should we do with them? Will they be tough if we have them processed? They are sexlinks:/ I know it sounds like a stupid question but I've read so much information and it's overwhelming. We learned the hard way not to buy them unknown for their sex!!

 

[greenegglover]

It's up to you but your options are: sell them (depends on breed), eat them ( more humane and better eating than what you buy at the store) or give them away for free.. for someone else to enjoy.

If you have kids its hard, but they don't have to watch...or know for that matter...send them to a friends while you fill the freezer.

 

[Saltysteele]

you can eat any chicken, young, old (usually stew or soup, slow cooker), large fowl or banty. at 6 months old, they will not be too tough. you can eat them whenever, just some take quite a bit longer than others to fill out. the frame may be large, but the muscle mass may have not developed yet.

 

[darin367]

if they are sexlinks the feed store should be able to tell the roosters from the hens by the the feather color or pattern... that's the whole idea behind a sexlink.... if you got 6 of each sex it sounds like the feed store is getting rid of roosters on purpose.... i would ask them what's up!!! either that or you don't have sexlinks, in which case i would ask the store what's up!!!!!!

 

[mjodic]

Thank you all for your help! I did ask the feed store and they claim it's random...I dont buy it and wont buy anymore there!

 

[magicpigeon]

They'd be a little tough, wouldn't they? I'd try soup

 

[mcf3kids]

I enjoyed an 8 month old rooster recently which we chose to brine for 3 days prior to cooking. I then cooked him low and slow and he was mmmm mmmmm good! Enjoy the fruits of your labor!

 

[Illia]

In most breeds I've owned and raised, 6 months and under is perfectly fine to fry, roast, grill, etc. Over 6 months and you'll need to stew, slow-cook, or tenderize the meat to properly enjoy it