How does the dressed weight of a five-month Barred Rock rooster compare to a six-week Cornish Cross (CX) fryer?
Answer
The Barred Rock yielded a smaller dressed carcass (about 3 pounds) despite being much older.
There is a profound difference in growth rates and final size between the specialized Cornish Cross and the dual-purpose Plymouth Rock. A typical CX bird raised as a 'fryer' achieves a dressed weight of 4 to 5 pounds by only six to nine weeks of age due to rapid development. Conversely, a Barred Rock rooster, even one that has been free-ranging, needs about five months (approximately 20 weeks) to yield a dressed carcass weighing around 3 pounds. This substantial difference highlights that Plymouth Rocks do not bulk up at the same rapid rate as modern commercial broilers.
#Videos
All About Barred Rocks, Are They Right For You? - YouTube
Related Questions
Why were Plymouth Rocks historically central to homestead meat supply before modern specialized breeds?How does the dressed weight of a five-month Barred Rock rooster compare to a six-week Cornish Cross (CX) fryer?Which cooking method is recommended for Plymouth Rock hens past their prime laying years?What is the key trade-off when raising a heritage Plymouth Rock for meat versus selecting a Cornish Cross?What common nickname was associated with the Barred Plymouth Rock in the early 1900s?In terms of Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR), how much more feed does a Barred Rock rooster typically require compared to a specialized broiler to gain a pound of weight?What typical dressed weight results from butchering a Plymouth Rock hen at 18 weeks, according to one assessment?What common practice helps backyard enthusiasts optimize feed economics for heritage Plymouth Rocks?What specific feature distinguishes the skin of a heritage Plymouth Rock raised for five months compared to a young Cornish Cross?What scheduling flexibility does the hardiness of the Barred Rock provide to a homestead system?