Cirrus Hill Farm

If your birds were hatched in April and have grown well, identify the best developed, busty birds for breeders, and consider finishing some that don't make the cut for your family Thanksgiving.

Heritage birds are hard to have in prime condition and finished for Canadian Thanksgiving, and they will be better given another full month of finishing in colder weather before slaughter. Those last few weeks are important for fattening and flavour.

BSW hatched in May are often not quite ready for Canadian Thanksgiving, but it is hard to carry them to Christmas if you have been pasture rearing.

By the end of October, I like to bring them in to a yard or barn or fenced garden to finish on nice grains and fruit, and have them processed in late November.

Shrink tight bags which exclude air make them look professional and keep the best quality for freezing for the Christmas season. If put in the freezer, packaged in shrink bags in mid-November, they will be perfect for Christmas, giving you time to market your birds to a more appreciative clientele.

Processors may book a year in advance for prime dates in the week before the holidays for larger producers who want to sell fresh. There can be significant differences in price and workmanship, as well as technique among processors. Speak to your neighbours for recommendations.

You cannot legally sell birds you have processed at home. Please check regulations