At what age do you butcher cornish hens?

Answer 1

Here at Jadeacres we don't use our chicks for meat, I buy my chicken at a store just like everyone else.

To answer your question though, here is industry standard for North America regarding

Processing age.

Chickens are harvested from most flocks on several occasions and is based on the weight of the bird not its age.

The first harvest might occur as early as 30-45 days (Rock cornish hen) for small birds used in specialized cooking.

The final harvest at 55-60 days when the bird reaches optimum weight of 3 to 6 lbs.

Some growers allow birds to grow to sizes of 4 to 8 lbs to be used as processed deboned chicken meat for Sandwiches and nuggets.

Today's commercial broilers are marketed for fast food restaurants (4.1 lb at about 6 weeks of age)

Answer 2

Once the chicks are able to manage adult food. I keep my chicks on chick grower for about three months at which time I start introducing laying MASH a small amount at a time. Once my hens have started thriving on the adult food and wandering out in the yard they are welcome to join the adults in the kitchen scrap bounty.

Answer 3

Younger birds should NEVER be put in with mature adult birds until they are the same size or close to it, so they can defend themselves.

Answer 4

I start to feed chicks after they are dry from hatching (after 1 day). They can really go without food/water for about 3 days, since they are got nourishment from the yolk.

Answer 5

Cornish Game Hens should be butchered at 2 to 2 1/2 pounds. This weight is achieved at 4 weeks of age if given proper care (21-22% meat producer feed) plenty water, and lighting.

Answer 6

7 weeks old, weighing 2.4-4.5 lbs