what would you recoomend feeding roos for butchering?

[jodiv]

I have chicks that i hatched this early spring, and I have quite a few roos, just wondering what you would reccomend feeding them to fatten them up for butchering in the fall. They are just plain ole backyard flock mix, no broilers or anything, but i would like to have a few in the freezer. I have layer hens right now, and feed layer...of course. but i have them in a seperate pen from the roos. So I can give special feed to the roos if needed. Any suggestions?

 

[Ms.FuzzyButts]

I don't feed mine anything special.. They eat layer pellet, scratch, bugs and grass. I processed one at 6 months old that dressed out at 5 lbs. Not bad. Bigger than what I buy from the grocery store. And tasted better too!!

 

[jaku]

I wouldn't waste the money- changing their feed isn't going to make a drastic difference in the meat.

 

[jodiv]

well, ok, i just thought it would make a difference, but meh.....guess not! LOL Thanks for the info!

 

[iajewel]

Don't wait till fall to butcher they will be to though to eat. Unless you caponize them, butcher as fryers about 2-3 months 4 is the max I would wait.

 

[greenfamilyfarms]

Avoid feeding too much corn since corn is stored as extra fat.

 

[jodiv]

well they should ready by july then if I wait....right now they are still on their starter/grow feed.

 

[AtomicPink]

About 2 weeks before we butcher our roos I separate them from the others and stop feeding any standard commercial feed. I feed them organic fruits and vegetables and organic sweetened oats and grains.(No corn at all since there is far too much corn in our systems already) I also give them Charcoal tablets (pharmaceutical grade not BBQ kind) to help remove any toxins from their system, especially if I plan to use any organ meats. We became more mindful of the whole process and started practicing awareness in the details by making changes such as these we have all noticed a definite improvement in flavor and quality.

 

[Tala]

Mine eat regular food (Layena or Flock Raiser, whatever's in the feeder) and free range with the hens up until the day. I take them off the roost after dark and they never know what's coming. This only works if you're processing one or two extra roos though.
I don't like free ranging too many roos coz it's hard on the hens.

 

[jodiv]

thats pretty interesting Atomic, think i will give that a try.

Tala- yes it probably will be done in the evening.