when do i whack um

[laughing man]

when do i whack um? i have to birds for meat, about 4 months. now or later?

 

[booker81]

What kind are they? Cornish X? Regular breed?

 

[NLadybug]

I also need to know ... I have 6 young roosters, (large breed) 5 months old, just started crowing. Is this a good time to butcher them?

 

[terri9630]

Quote:
When they start annoying you or causing problems is the perfect time to butcher them.

 

[laughing man]

bantams. i got them for free and they didnt say breed

 

[booker81]

Honestly, any age.

For cooking them, this is a good link for cooking poultry based on age. Most chicken in the store is 8-10 or so weeks old.

http://www.albc-usa.org/documents/cookingwheritagechicken.pdf

There isn't much to banties, but they do make a darn good stock and soup. I cooked the ones I had in a crockpot with water most of the day, then strained out everything, picked all the meat off, and froze the stock in 2 cup increments, and shredded and froze the meat for enchiladas

I skinned them to make it easy on me

For the 5 month old roos - perfect time! They will never look like the breasty grocery store chickens, but will have a great "chicken" flavor, and will be delicious! Just remember to rest them a few days in the fridge, and cook them on a low heat until they reach the correct internal temp

 

[ohiofarmgirl]

just started crowing

as we say around here... when you start to crow, you got to go!

we send 'em to glory when they either flog me for the first time, annoy the hens, or just look nice and plump. if they are mixes you wont get the huge breasts like you will with the meaties... but they will make a nice meal, great stock, and oh the noodles....

good luck!
​

 

[laughing man]

thank you! so when they crow, they go.
sounds yummy.

 

[Judy]

Quote:
What I was going to say. Including that wonderful link.

 

[laughing man]

chickens are just so much work i just heard you try to crow.