What's the youngest age dual purpose birds can be processed?

[caliclucker]

I had two hens hatch out a total of 21 chicks. One batch is 4 weeks and the other just hatched today. I want to plan ahead. Daddy was a BO and the mothers varied from EEs barred rocks, wyandottes and welsummers. I plan on dispatching all the cockerels and possibly some of the pullets. I will use some to feed my family and some for my dogs. What is the youngest chickens like these can be processed and still provide a decent amount of meat? Can they be used as personal sized broilers like a game hen? I want to grow them out enough to be worth it but I also don't want to have a gigantic flock longer than I have to. Thanks.

 

[Habibs Hens]

i raise slow maturing meaties myself and i cull at 12-15 weeks just before testosterone kicks in and stiffens the meat

i get around 500 grams pure meat per bird

yours you might get a bit more as your using heavy breeds whereas i used light breeds

i prefer light breeds and cull small as my family likes supple baby chicken meat

 

[caliclucker]

Thanks for responding. How do you cook them when they're small? Do you use both males and females or just cockerels?

 

[Habibs Hens]

Thanks for responding. How do you cook them when they're small? Do you use both males and females or just cockerels?

one bird makes a good sized curry dish

last year i used only boys as i only had a few hatches

this year i have hatched in the region of 60 chicks so will be using both girls and boys and maybe a few of the older hens

only keeping the ones i want to breed back