Slaughtering age for buff brahmas

[cindymoncus]

Today I received my first order of chicks to raise as meat birds. I ordered 100 surplus chicks. I thought they would be mixed breeds but when I received them all 100 are buff brahmas. I have kept and raised chickens for years but never brahmas and never meat birds. After a little research on the internet I find that they are SLOW growers. That doesn't concern me very much because I am a cook and I have access to a couple hundred pounds of leftovers every week for free (hence the meat chicken order) and decided I would put them to good use. What age would you guys suggest putting them in the freezer. I want them young enough for the meat to be tender. Any input appreciated. Cindy

 

[4-H chicken mom]

I don't think I would go by age. I would go by weight and feeling of the meat.

 

[cindymoncus]

Thanks for the info. Just trying to get some kind of idea as to how long I will have to take care of them. When I ordered chicks I was planning on 8 to 12 weeks. Now, One web site I read says slaughter brahmas at about a year and another says these won't be fully grown until 2 years old! Was trying to decide if I should order more chicks since these will take so long. Any idea as to when you would start checking their weight? Cindy

 

[bigredfeather]

If Buff Brahmas are like Light Brahamas (which I used to have) their weight at an early age (20-26 weeks) is going to be misleading, as it seemed my LB grew their frame first then put the muscle on. The carcus is going to look huge until you get the feathers off, then it's mostly bones. I would order some CX chicks if you want quick meat.

 

[dsqard]

I would like to add that while Brahmas are a dual purpose bird, the amount of food it will take to get them to a good weight for processing will be very high. They do grow a lot slower than meat birds. I am guessing that surplus chicks didn't mean surplus meat chicks. I will also add that my Brahmas have been the friendliest chicks I have ever raised.

 

[bigredfeather]

Quote:
I agree 100%.