Rouen mix extra drake, when to process?

[Teneniel]

Ive got too many drakes on the dance floor. Thankfully my extra is a heavy bodied breed (Rouen over black swedish)The issue is, most of The Internets say to wait until about 16 weeks to process. By then, I’m sure there will be infighting and I don’t have the space to separate him for a month. I’ve already seen my main drake getting annoyed that he’s not a mateable object and he’s only 8 weeks old.

when do you process your extra in-flock drakes?

also I’m sorry, I know this is a rote annoying question but dang if I can’t find a solid answer that works for micro homesteads like mine.

 

[iwltfum]

Never butchered a duck, but if I had a cockerel that I was concerned about keeping, then I would butcher it at any weight. Maybe you won't get the bulk of meat that you could get otherwise, but it will save you the stress of dealing with issues with the birds. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Teneniel]

I think I’m going to skin and smoke him because I’m a lazy mother plucker so you’re right, tender is going to be better anyway.

 

[Mosey2003]

It's not the weight that's the issue with ducks, it's the pinfeathers. There are certain ages to do it because that's when the feathers are done growing in.

If you're going to skin, it doesn't matter.

 

[Parront]

I think I’m going to skin and smoke him because I’m a lazy mother plucker so you’re right, tender is going to be better anyway.

If he were a pekin, he would be processed @ ~7 weeks. I like duck with the skin, and if he is 5 pounds live you will have around 3 pounds of duck. Just like a little rooster that is bothering the flock, process him when you get too pissed off to let him live another day! Smoked duck, do it now!

 

[Teneniel]

I have a weird processing day coming up looks like! Two rabbits, 5 quail, 1 duck.

sounds like a redneck charcuterie