Solitary chicken - need advice

[Jules.]

My lovley not-so-little boys are growing up fast.

I hear a little bit of honking from them, & yesterday had a good & proper "doodle-do"

I've arranged with B for him to come on Saturday afternoon to help me dispatch all 3 boys at once.

BUT today I tried an experiment. I locked the eglu door overnight, & not a peep has been heard from the boys

So now I'm wondering if I'm going to kill them too soon? They are 16 1/2 weeks old.

[Griffin]

I killed my Leghorn boys at 16 & 17 weeks because they were crowing. Not a huge amount of meat, they were Leghorns afterall, but we all enjoyed some. Forrest my Light Sussex was bigger at that age so I can guess the size of yours. He went to live with a friend and started crowing at around 22 weeks so you're a bit unlucky with yours.

[Redwing]

As they are pure breeds you will get less meat from them now than if you left them till 26 weeks however if they are causing a nuisance then I would do it sooner

 

Looking at the recent pics you have posted I think you will still get a decent meal!

[Phosphorus]

My araucana boy had to be despatched at about 9 weeks - crowing regularly throughout the day - I think he was an early starter. Next to no meat on him

[laurmurf]

I think my araucana lad is next: crowing at 7 weeks! do you think it's a breed related early development? We are doing the 'kidding ourselves' thing at the moment and asking the farmer neighbour if he wants yet another araucana cockerel

 

Interestingly one of my other lads, the Scots Dumpy, who's been so violent towards the others has calmed right down - don't know why. we were in absolute despair over it.