[shygirl]

what age do you slaughter a dairy wether kid? whats the best feed to finish them?
my vet told me to kill the boys at birth and i can see why now as there isnt much meat on them.

[Lesley Silvester]

My boy went at 20 months which is much later than usual. I had more meat than I knew what to do with practically although, in view of his age, needs slower cooking than usual. I think around 8 months is a better age although they are not so big then. I imagine that breed would come into it as well.

[ScotsGirl]

I would feed calf rearer pellets and run on to at least 12 months. I killed some crosses at about 9 months and only got 10-12 kg which is ok but not worth it really. Best to put a Boer or AN on dairy to get a decent meat carcass.

[jaykay]

I sent my boys (Old English) at 10 months and got 14 and 15 kg meat, which I thought was ok. Weaned naturally then fed along with their mums and sisters on some molassed sheep flakey and hay.

[shygirl]

thanks, will have to fatten him up over the winter. 

[plumseverywhere]

Ours is going at 17 months - he's gone a bit skinny and leggy lately though, not sure if its because he's in his 'teens' and lanky or what?!  Had we planned to send him off, he'd have been finished and chunked up a bit and sent earlier.

[Penninehillbilly]

I think my wethers were abut 9 months, (December) I don't think they build up as much as entires, but I still got about 12-13kg each (Toggs). I was happy with that, was nice to see them playing when young, mum was happy looking after them and I didn't have too much milk to use, then a nice home grown carcase for the table.
I fed beef nuts in the last month or so.
last night everything on the plate was home-grown, such a good feeling.
Thinking about sugar beet - then the custard could be completely home grown :-)