Anyone sell farm raised processed birds in Massachusetts or will ship?

[SmahtFahm]

We're raising broilers in north central MA, but like other posters have pointed out, MA has stringent laws. I have no problems with selling my eggs, but no way would I dare sell our meat chickens, unless it's to a very trusted customer who wouldn't say anything.

I looked into a slaughter permit and borrowing the Mobile Poultry Processing Unit (for free) but it's $400 for the permit and who knows what else for other local permits. That said, I've heard that someone can sell "chicken shares," to raise the bird and then you ask to slaughter it as a favor, so you're technically not selling a slaughtered bird. However, meat birds take time and space and when I look at the cost, I think it would be fairly pricey to sell because of all that work. Sure, there's nothing healthier and tastier than a locally, lovingly raised meat birds, but I can't imagine many people would want to pay so much for it. So we're filling up our freezers with broilers to feed our family. Good luck! : )

 

[snowhorse]

My dad had an isurance adjuster come out to our place yesterday and they have an issue with chickens and pigs.... We don't have pigs, but there was some issue with the chickens. My dad told them we don't sell anything, but of course we sell the eggs. I have meat birds but have done some reading into that and you can go to jail for selling meat birds, its a pretty serious offense. So like SmahtFahm said, I wouldn't do it unless someone was never going to mention where it came from!

I'm curious as to why? So overall it could be even more expensive to bring them up, because of your insurance? And do you know if you have to have permit to sell eggs as well?

 

[SmahtFahm]

My understanding is that there is an exemption for small farm stand goods. We sell our eggs and honey and it's covered by law, as I understand. I don't know why. But if I wanted to sell my breads, supposedly I need a permit from the board of health. So confusing! There are state permits that you can get for slaughter and homemade stuff, etc. but they're expensive. So frustrating...the regulations that supposedly "protect" people, really only discourage the little guy and favor the big producers who most likely aren't raising their stuff as lovingly and sanitarily as the little peoples. Yes, I'm generalizing, but it's my experience. I did let my homeowners know that I had an "incidental farm stand," as they call it, and they added a rider for $10/yr. It just covers things like someone coming for eggs, falling down and injuring themselves, etc. Might as well be honest about it.