when to butcher?

[ra]

we have RIR x with american game. there chicks right now. we think there are all going to be meat birds as we got better egg chickens coming. at what age should we be butchering them? also is it better to switch them to a grow type food if we want to eat them sooner then later?

sorry for all the ?s on here. we are new to chickens

ryan

 

[Chef]

This is the place to ask questions. It would probably be best to butcher that cross at 12 weeks. Yes I would use a grower until your ready to eat them. Good luck! Let us know how it goes.


Chef

 

[pdpatch]

Usually a standard chicken such as the RIR, would be process at 12 to 15 weeks or so as a fryer, As a broiler maybe 18 to 20 weeks. That's generally what most people on the forum go by. Cornish-x are at 8 to 10 weeks.

The difference between a fryer and broiler is how you cook them.

Always start both on chick starter, then at about 6 weeks switch to grower. The exception is when the layers lay there first egg or just before they are due to lay there first, and then they would get switched to a layer ration.

Some use a finisher for the last 2 to 6 weeks for broiler. Finding a finisher at a feed or farm store may be tricky.

Tom