Anybody in OR or WA get their birds processed?

[lilbirdee]

We are looking into getting a flock of meat birds (I'm thinking around 25 birds) and trying to figure out the butchering part. I am vegetarian and I won't do it. My hubby says he will, since they will be for his consumption. But my point is that we'd have to invest in a bunch of tools and it'll take more time than he really has. I want to find out where we can take them to be processed and how much it'll cost per bird. We live just north of Vancouver.

 

[melissastraka]

try "The Meat Locker" in chehalis. i am not sure but that is where we take our elk and deer. let us know!

 

[bheila]

I've used "The Meat Locker" before for our angus so I don't know if they do poultry. I know that there is a butcher in Tacoma who does poultry. The Meat Shop of Tacoma, I was refered to them when I didn't think I would have time to do my chickens.
www.meatshopoftacoma.com

 

[melissastraka]

I'll keep looking and if i find something i will let you know.

 

[lilbirdee]

Thanks melissastraka. I really need to figure this out. I sooo do not want to have to process them ourselves.
If you take them to get hem done. How the heck to you transport them? Shove 25+ birds in yer trunk?

 

[Harp Turkey Ranch]

YUP - Make sure to poke holes in the trunk so they can breath

You would need to use a dog kennel or two or buy transport cages and put them in the back of a truck.

That is why it is more advisable to do it yourself as transporting them that far would be alot of stress on them and could even risk loosing some to the trip.

Hopefully you can find somebody close to you that will help you out and that has all the equipment.

 

[bheila]

The only equiptment we use are an axe, knife and a turkey fryer to scald. You wouldn't even need anything to scald in if you skin them.
You can transport them in the back of a truck with a canopy.

 

[Harp Turkey Ranch]

I was talking for a more easier/pleasant experience.

Main Equipment I was referring to

- Killing Cones
- Propane burner w/30 gallon galvi can scalder
- Tub Plucker
- Good Knives
- Chiller Tank

It seems to make it alot nicer for the newbies if they use good equipment and the job is clean no hassle and fun. The kids really love using the plucker, so can even be a family day.

When it comes to axes and hand plucking that is what most people think of when processing poultry, and trust me that is NO FUN. That is almost a job you don't want the kids to see,especially the axe part.

I have went to newbies houses before or they have came to us and I went through it with them and then we did it and they actually did have fun. The worst part they all said was pulling the guts. Even had people that said they could not do it, feeling like pros at the end of the day. With the right tools, it is not that bad

3 people can do a 100 broilers in about 6 hrs - start to finish all cleaned up and put away.

 

[Harp Turkey Ranch]

Outside of Olympia their is guy that does poultry processing, he is expensive !! like 4 to 5 dollars a chicken. He is WSDA inspected. I think he processes every week ???

Jerry - 360-485-2558


The meat shop and Jerry are the only 2 in western WA to my knowledge that are WSDA inspected and offer their services to the public. The university has the USDA travel trailer that can come out, don't know much about it ???? Here in WA it is real slim pickings on WSDA poultry processors.

 

[exsia]

there's a processor in Boring/Damascus Oregon just outside Portland. I've never used them myself but Foster Feed Store recommended them to me once. I think they're called Harrison's. Someone on here will defiantly know better then me. I've also heard of a processor in Grande Ronde (near spirit mt casino) that processes and bags for $1.75 each? That's what i was told anyways. I usually do it myself

Goodluck!