When to kill a meat bird?

[emmial]

We are getting ready to kill our chickens and we have no idea how old they need to be. I have looked online and find everything else about butchering, raising, etc., but not when to do it.

Can someone help?

 

[Birch Run Farm]

It can depend on what type of chickens you have. For Cornish X broilers anywhere from 6 to 10 weeks is good. I do mine at 9 weeks with great results.

For extra cockerels from laying stock I would say 'go' when they begin crowing.

 

[Cason]

We started on some Americuanas this week @ 12 weeks old. They are too small! Way too small. Depends on the type of chickens you're killing. CornishX will "go" around 7 weeks.