When Is A Rooster Full Grown?

[3 Sparrows Farm]

Hi ya'll I'm new on this site and I just logged in. I have had chickens for many years but I am unsure of when my rooster will be full grown, I got him 2 weeks old back around Easter, so it's been around 4 months. My main question is when should I butcher him? I want him to be full grown and meaty so it's worth while. Thx

 

[Polish Hen House]

It depends on the breed. Most roosters are full grown around 5-6 months. But breeds like Jersey Giants can take up to a year and a half to become fully mature .

 

[3 Sparrows Farm]

My rooster is an Americauna

 

[chickengeorgeto]

The old standard is something called a "SPRING CHICKEN" Spring chickens are or were usually egg layer male chickens that went to slaughter in the late Spring or the same Summer of the year in which they were hatched. They were never quote "Fully Matured" because that usually means that they will be tough, stringy, and chewy when served up. Testosterone is not your friend when it comes to table fare. BTW, this is usually why male bovines are castrated before they go to market. That and there is less fighting among steers than there are among bulls.

 

[Folly's place]

He might be at his best, taste and meat quality wise, right now. As George said, he's get a bit bigger, and a lot tougher! He's never going to be BIG, and I'd put him in the freezer by 18 to 20 weeks of age, at most.
Mary

 

[3 Sparrows Farm]

Okay thx I just want him to be big enough to feed my family. He is also in a small cage so he doesn't get a lot of exercise, I've heard that can make your meat tough as well.

 

[cottontail farm]

I'd process him now. He's not going to be a tender roast chicken but cooked right he will be some amazing enchiladas or a delicious pot pie.

 

[cottontail farm]

I think as far as exercise making the meat tougher: a white, tender chicken is going to be an 8 week old Cornish Cross. Your bird is going to have a different consistency and color. "Tougher" is what some people would call it but really if it's cooked right it will be delicious. And non-Cornish birds in my experience even have dark breast meat. it's a product of being able to have enough space to flap their wings - I mean how sad is that.
The most flavorful chicken I have EVER eaten was a 4 year old easter egger hen. It was amazing.

 

[3 Sparrows Farm]

Okay thank you I think I will process him now my fam is a mean cook.