The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: Rhys Jones on March 23, 2013, 09:37:36 pm
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I have just started to incubate my first lot of light sussex chicks! My intention is to keep the females as layers. And the cockerels will be table birds! My question is, at what age will the cockerels be ready for eating? So many contradicting things on the net, ranging from 10 weeks to 7 months!! ???
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think its sbout 5 months :innocent:
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i work to 20 weeks but i take some slightly earlier and some later just to prevent a glut.
Dont forget most people are worried about the extra cost of feeding - thats the only downside of leaving them a bit longer - the growth rate slows so you get less meat added per kg of food given.
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They start serious fighting from 20 weeks, so start removing the trouble makers then and despatch the last pair by week 26.
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They start serious fighting from 20 weeks, so start removing the trouble makers then and despatch the last pair by week 26.
The fighting depends on the breed - i had 5 buff orpingtons at 26 weeks which just couldn't be bothered to fight :roflanim:
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the 10 wks you saw prob referred to hybrid meat birds that come on faster. 5 -6mths would be about right for LS but pick them up, have a good feel and see what you think. Much will depend on how you keep them -the weather may slow them a bit - and how far they range, and what you feed them.
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I've eaten a few LS boys over the last few years. Nothing much on them before about 20 weeks. 6 months onwards would be better. As a rule of thumb the lads will be ready to eat when the girls start to lay. They will reach a dead weight of about 10lbs eventually but there's quite a lot of bone in them. They can be tough if cooked too quickly too.
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Thanks for the replys! That's what I had in mind, nice for it to confirmed!! :chook:
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I've got 2 LS boys which are coming up for about8 months if anyone wants to come and get them for the table? Too much of a chicken ( ;D ) to do it myself. Nr Dunfermline.