Slow growers

[Mtnboomer]

I free range my brahmas year round and provide standard 16% protein layer feed as a supplement. We butcher most between 4-5mos and body weights are usually 3-4lbs for females and 4-6l bs for the males. 1 yr olds about 4-5lb (F) and 7lb+ (M). We rarely keep birds much older than that any more but we have raised to full maturity and roosters can top 10lbs or more. Those are all freezer weights (plucked and dressed).

Good forage saves alot of feed

 

[KikiDeAnime]

I free range my brahmas year round and provide standard 16% protein layer feed as a supplement. We butcher most between 4-5mos and body weights are usually 3-4lbs for females and 4-6l bs for the males. 1 yr olds about 4-5lb (F) and 7lb+ (M). We rarely keep birds much older than that any more but we have raised to full maturity and roosters can top 10lbs or more. Those are all freezer weights (plucked and dressed).

Good forage saves alot of feed

We free range all birds we raise.

Could I ask about when you butcher at 1yr? Isn't the meat usually very tough at that age?

 

[Mtnboomer]

We free range all birds we raise.

Could I ask about when you butcher at 1yr? Isn't the meat usually very tough at that age?

Soup birds. Anything past 4-5mos are soup birds. Or i will keep the breasts which are usually still tender and tasty and the redt is cooked off for chicken salad or use in casseroles.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Sausage. Old birds make good sausage.

Use recipes intended for pork. Old duck makes good sausage too. Use recipes intended for beef.

 

[Molpet]

I put a 2 and half years old roo in the pressure cooker for a couple hours. Actually was great pulled chicken for salad and such.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Could I ask about when you butcher at 1yr? Isn't the meat usually very tough at that age?

Coq au Vin is how the French make a gourmet meal out of a rooster that is several years old. I think old hens are better in chicken and dumplings.

There are several good ways to cook an older bird. One of the safest is to make broth with them and separate out the meat for tacos, soup, or salad.