Culling Age

[Carm]

What is the appropriate age to start to cull? I have some 4-5 month old buff orpingtons. The cockerels especially are going through a real gangly phase and its hard to tell what they might body down as. What age is common to start to have a pretty good idea what they might end up as? There are a few that are too light coloured and some comb flaws etc that are easy to pick out. But once the obvious ones are weeded out, there really isn't a stand out to keep. I don't want to give up too quick on one, but don't really want to keep them all over the winter. Thanks

[d12chandler]

4-5 months old males are to young to cull for a last time. As far as combs and split wing and stuff
like that cull now. It just takes the males alot longer to come around. Don't give up on the gangly ones
just yet. Thats my thoughts.

[reniespeeps]

I agree with you Don. Remove the ones with DQ faults first.... then slowly weed out the ones that have faults you can't live with since the perfect birds has not been hatched yet. Gangly... they still have a chance to bloom...

[bamachicken]

I agree with Don and Irene. If they have size but are gangly give it a little time. A month can make a huge difference at that age.

[Carm]

Thanks for the advice. Even in the 9 days since I posted the question the cockerels have changed. Some are really sorting themselves to the top.