When to process a duel purpose bird

[Thistlelady]

We hatched out 5 buff Brahma's and can only keep the hens (city limit's rules, and my husbands). My question is at what age would would you cull the cockerels for best meat? They are almost 6 weeks old now.

 

[Elke Beck]

We hatched out 5 buff Brahma's and can only keep the hens (city limit's rules, and my husbands). My question is at what age would would you cull the cockerels for best meat? They are almost 6 weeks old now.

I would aim for 16 weeks, unless they become too much of a nuisance before. At 16 weeks there is enough meat on them to make it worth your while, and they will still be tender.

 

[donrae]

The thing is, Brahmas are slower to mature than a normal dual purpose bird, so I'd wait longer to get some meat on them. Most dp birds are processed around 18-22 weeks, I'd try to go as long as you could on these big boys. They get their bone first, then their meat fills in later. Basically, I'd wait until they start crowing, whenever that happens to be for each boy.

Or, of course, sooner if they get mean.