What would you do?

[bobbi-j]

We’re having a heck of a time fattening up our grazers this year , I think because it was so hot the grass was poor quality, we moved the tractor everyday for fresh brown grass

Now they are crowing and chasing the girls I’m worried the hormones will make the meat tough ...

What kind are they? Unless they're specifically bred to fatten up, they likely won't. I also think you need to feed them more than grass. I think more protein is needed. But again, unless they're specifically bred to put meat on them, they're not going to be built like a grocery store chicken.

The last time I had enough cockerels to take up lots of space in the freezer, we put them in a grow out pen for a few weeks and fed them flock grower. It helped, I think. This year, due to a mink attack in June, I only have two cockerels from the "straight run heavies" that I ordered, and 5 red ranger pullets. The pullets will stay alive as long as they appear healthy. Of the two cockerels, one is quite small and light, so he will be a "broth bird", and the other seems to have some heft to him.

 

[JedJackson]

We’re having a heck of a time fattening up our grazers this year , I think because it was so hot the grass was poor quality, we moved the tractor everyday for fresh brown grass

Now they are crowing and chasing the girls I’m worried the hormones will make the meat tough ...

Any hints on fattening them up? We feed 24/7 20% protein grower

Ps I’d eat the sneezing chicken

A smaller pen or eliminating free ranging if you allow that will cause less activity and less calories to be burned. Grower feed causes them to put on meat-- if you want more fat content in the flesh, give them grain. Oats are good.

As far as tough meat goes, you'll have to wait and see, but the main way to fix that is to cook them by different methods than normal. Pressure cooking works well, or stewing. I'm sure others have different ways, too.