[babe]

how old ideally should a chicken be at its best for dinner?

[Vember]

I thought 12 "ish" weeks for a free range - suppose it depends on the breed 

Found this which might be useful - couple of interesting comments on age from Bodger

http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=16250.msg202740#msg202740


Sarah

[treacleminer]

how old ideally should a chicken be at its best for dinner?

Depends on how well it's Mummy has taught it table manners!

[GrannieAnnie]

I don't know about the pure breeds, Bodger is better on that one, but with the meat chickens we have the white JA757's are mature between 8-10 weeks, the brown Coloryields between 10-12 weeks, but the ones we've got now are a little older as they came up a bit small at Christmas, and the grey Mastergris are mature between 12-14 weeks.

[babe]

ooo now im confused. i have two 14 week old cream legbar cockerels
will get a piccy tomorrow next to a ruler to see how big they are.

will ask bodgy boo, now what did he ask me for earlier in the week...i forget 

[babe]

stood by the ruler lovely until the camera came out...then just showing off and dancing.


anyhoo, when can these go in the pot....dont look big enough yet

[GrannieAnnie]

Where's Bodger or Munty gone?  They are the best ones for pure breeds, but I hink they usually eat them when the cockerel is about 5 months, but never done it myself Babe, so please don't quote me.  You could try PMing one of them.

He looks lovely, shame you gotta eat him!!

[Foxy]

well I have pure bred dual purpose birds -faverolles and they are ready for eating at around 5 -6months as long as they were hatched early and not free ranging to much otherwise can make the meat a bit tough. They are slow growing tho compared to the commercial breeds. Dont know if that helps.

[pushrod]

how old ideally should a chicken be at its best for dinner?

depends what you have got in the freezer and how many are coming round to dinner
When they are younger they are more tender but less meat . When they are older they are bigger but need a bit more cooking. I have culled birds from 8 weeks to 20 and when i get round to it my 16 month old cockerel will become a curry!