[bedifferent]

I have some JA757's that are now 11 weeks old and a fairly good size. One of the cocks is just starting to exercise his vocal cords. When should i cull them. I was planning to start at 16-18 weeks - god knows how big they will be then. I am starting to think i might have a bit of a fight on when it comes to doing the deed as i reckon the largest of the birds can look after himself!! :shock:

Any advice out there?

[Foxy]

Hi Grannies the expert on the "when" I think her OH does the deed, here is Muntys post on the "how"

http://www.chat.allotment-garden.org/viewtopic.php?t=18901

I think the reccomended method is dislocation, I expect someone will be along soon with some help.

[bedifferent]

yep, dislocation is the way forward i believe. I have been sure that i would be able to do it from the beginning. I dont have a problem with killing them as i will quite happily tuck into a sunday roast. But with the bird in hand i am really struggling to pull its neck. I think the main concern is not getting it right and the chook suffering. I am also a bit uneasy about the size of them. Twice the size of any laying bird i have seen. Wouldnt want to meet one on a dark night  :shock:

If i can't do this then i will have to consider vegetarianism. I have lost count of the times i have said that you souldent eat meat unless you are prepared to kill it. Words are cheap - apparently.

My last fall back position was a hand held dispatcher but an article in PP suggests that this prolonges the death!!

[Kate and her Ducks]

Yes, I read that article too. I killed my drake for the table a couple a weeks ago. Physically wasn't as difficult as I though it was going to be but was pretty horrible emotionally. Even knowing about the whole "headless chicken" thing was still surprised how long he kept moving. Despite feeling its neck break still had a little panic that I had done it wrong so decapitated him too and he still kept moving :cry: . At least was reassured that I had done it right the first time. Not trying to put you off, just think it would have been easier if I had been more prepared for that.

And in the end we had him for Sunday lunch yesterday confident that he had had a good life (up until that point!).

[GrannieAnnie]

Brian did our first JA757's at 9 weeks as a friend of a friend wanted 15!!!  the others went between then and 11 weeks, then he started on the brown coloryield last week at 13 weeks and the rest will go this week, including the Mastergris (grey).  

The biggest one we've had so far was 11lb dead weight, but it's surprising how much weight they lose without their feathers, innards and head!!!!