Dorkings and BJG - age to butcher?

[Acre4Me]

We have Red Dorkings and BJG that were straight run. We will have a few to butcher, but just looking for those who have butchered these before.

first BJG are slower growing. We already have adult ones of these, and they are big but a lot of frame when younger. I’m sure there is some good meat on there when younger. Since they are slower growing, and generally slower to mature, do I wait until 20-24 weeks? What is meat like?


Dorkings. I have heard they are also a bit slower to mature. This is my first time raising Dorkings. I have heard they are a good meat bird though. Any experiences with Dorking and good age to butcher?

currently these birds are 13 weeks old, so no rush at this point.

 

[FortCluck]

I have BJG RSL/Delaware mix hatching in 10 days.. I'm waiting until 20-24 weeks to process them. I'll weigh them until they reach a certain weight. I'm resting the meat in the fridge 2-3 days after it's processed.

Hopefully someone with more experience can help more.

Good luck with everything!

 

[FortCluck]

And this might help you too. It all depends on how you want to cook them, this article explains it better than I can.

https://www.cappersfarmer.com/farm-and-home/poultry/raising-heritage-breed-chickens-for-meat

 

[Acre4Me]

And this might help you too. It all depends on how you want to cook them, this article explains it better than I can.

https://www.cappersfarmer.com/farm-and-home/poultry/raising-heritage-breed-chickens-for-meat

Thanks. The article requires one to sign up to be able to read it fully. I’m guessing it is along the lines of under x age, you can grill, over x age need to stew, and gender play a role. However in our experience we’ve had some males mature really fast if one breed (crowing, trying to mate), whereas other breeds like BJG, take quite awhile to crow let alone try to mate. So, not sure when a slower growing breed is optimized for butchering.

 

[Egg-Cellent Eggs]

You can butcher at about 8-10 weeks old. But, It really depends on the breed. Some take longer to grow.

 

[FortCluck]

Thanks. The article requires one to sign up to be able to read it fully. I’m guessing it is along the lines of under x age, you can grill, over x age need to stew, and gender play a role. However in our experience we’ve had some males mature really fast if one breed (crowing, trying to mate), whereas other breeds like BJG, take quite awhile to crow let alone try to mate. So, not sure when a slower growing breed is optimized for butchering.

You just click out of the sign up.

Broiling or grilling- 12 weeks 2-2.5 lbs dressed

Frying- 20 weeks 7-8 lbs dressed

Roasting- 6-9 months 9-10 lbs dressed (325 degrees 30 minutes per lb)

Stew- anything over 9 months

 

[FortCluck]

Thanks. The article requires one to sign up to be able to read it fully. I’m guessing it is along the lines of under x age, you can grill, over x age need to stew, and gender play a role. However in our experience we’ve had some males mature really fast if one breed (crowing, trying to mate), whereas other breeds like BJG, take quite awhile to crow let alone try to mate. So, not sure when a slower growing breed is optimized for butchering.

Slow grower I would wait till 20+ weeks. Since you're using a heritage breed they take longer than a regular meat bird like Cornish X or Red Rangers.

This is my BJG at 20 weeks (he's for breeding)

 

[FortCluck]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...nd-weight-of-our-last-dorking-rooster.595887/

 

[Acre4Me]

You can butcher at about 8-10 weeks old. But, It really depends on the breed. Some take longer to grow.

for sure any poultry can be butchered at any age! But, looking for experience with the BJG or Dorkings as I am curious as to their rate of growth and optimal butchering age.

we recently butchered a few meat birds-the ones that get very meaty by 8 weeks, but these other breeds will be different, I’m sure.

 

[Acre4Me]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...nd-weight-of-our-last-dorking-rooster.595887/

thanks for the link! Looks like good info to peruse. Spouse is liking the Dorkings appearance so far, but they are still young so can’t really tell personality or if they will be a good fit for us. But, I’ve heard they are generally good birds for meat, so I’m interested in these particularly.