Young Wyandottes beginning to crow...

[pats4lsu]

Is it time for the slaughter?

 

[tonini3059]

I would think not, I know they begin crowing around two months of so, but at that age I do not think they would be big enough to butcher. I have never raised a dual purpose for meat, so maybe someone else can lend better insight.

 

[pats4lsu]

They are actually 3 months old

 

[MysticScorpio82]

Most dual birds are processed around 16 weeks, unless you feel your 12 week olds are big enough.

 

[Grampa with chickens]

I've been told between 16 to 20 weeks. I processed my 5 at 20 weeks, but haven't eaten them yet.

 

[dancingbear]

Depends on how big they are, and how you intend to cook them. If you want to fry or grill, 12 weeks is about right, even then they may be a little tough. Slower cooking, like frying on a lower heat, grilling over low coals, etc. will work better. You can also cut them up and marinate them in buttermilk overnight before you cook them, that will help a lot.

If you want to slow roast them, 16 weeks is good. If you will crock pot, or pressure-cook/can, you can let them grow as long as you want.

I often butcher dual-purp birds at 20 weeks or older, so they'll be bigger. I cook them in the crock pot, or can them, and the meat is wonderful used in any dish you'd use cooked meat in. I especially like to use them in Mexican dishes, such as tamales, enchiladas, tacos, or just wrap the meat in a heated tortilla with whatever I want at the time, vegetables, spices, and condiments will vary. Chicken meat, lettuce, tomato, green onion, and ranch dressing, or chicken, chili sauce or salsa, cheese, onions, whatever you want. Mix with refried beans, cheese, and seasoning, and make burritos or chimichangas.

There's always good ol' chicken and dumplings, too. Don't let anybody convince you that your older birds are only fit for broth. I see that all the time, and it's a waste of perfectly good meat. The broth is terrific, save it for sauces bases, dressing, gravy, etc., but it's by no means all you can do with an older dual-purp bird.