Bouncing ideas around: selling "fry pan bargain" for profit?

[humblehillsfarm]

I have humored the idea of purchasing a bunch of fry pan roosters from Meyer Hatchery. They are $1 each. I'd stick them under my reliable broodies in the spring, let mama do all of the work, and process around 16-18 weeks. We are raising 30 cornish cross for ourselves, so the freezer will be well stocked. My chickens free range, so summer time feed consumption is lower than winter without a doubt. Has anyone had success with selling chickens for meat? Is it profitable? How do you price them? Advertise for them? I'm curious to hear other people's experience.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Here, unless you get it done professionally or have special papers, you can't sell people meat you've processed. You can either give it to them for free (under the table) or they can buy the animal live and then process it where they please, so unfortunately I'm not really sure what a good price would be.

Will you be selling whole or parting then out?

 

[humblehillsfarm]

https://www.agriculture.pa.gov/consumer_protection/FoodSafety/manufacturing-packing-holding-distribution/commercial-food-establishments/Documents/PDA rabbit and poultry requirements.pdf

Looks like in my state I am except from having someone else process the birds, but I have to register annually for $35, meet certain requirements, and undergo annual inspections. The requirements seem easily obtainable. I can easily create a covered slaughter area with a washable floor, provided they allow plastic or a tarp as a "floor". And if packaging in a kitchen is considered safe, then I'm good there too. I'm at least willing to be inspected and see what I can and cannot do.

I've had multiple folks ask about selling chickens too. Obviously once I raise a bird for meat, I'm stuck with it after processing if I don't have a buyer, so I've been hesitant to seriously begin the process if I'm unable to advertise.

I'd probably sell some whole and others parted out. I always part my own out, but it does take time.

 

[humblehillsfarm]

Actually the main hold up would be waste water disposal. I only have a septic system so we usually dump waste water on the ground when we are done, so that could be a serious issue.

 

[3KillerBs]

I think that the hardest part -- after meeting legal requirements -- would be finding a customer base who wanted, skinny, non-Cornish X cockerels instead of the meaty, full-breasted birds they think of as normal chicken.

 

[Brooks_]

I think that the hardest part -- after meeting legal requirements -- would be finding a customer base who wanted, skinny, non-Cornish X cockerels instead of the meaty, full-breasted birds they think of as normal chicken.

That customer would be me (I have little use for white meat), but the point stands.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

I think that the hardest part -- after meeting legal requirements -- would be finding a customer base who wanted, skinny, non-Cornish X cockerels instead of the meaty, full-breasted birds they think of as normal chicken.

You could always go the opposite route and explain why the birds might be a better choice (more flavor despite less meat, happy chickens that ran around doing what chickens do best) with them when advertising

 

[humblehillsfarm]

I know a few people who spend huge amounts of money buying under the table heritage meat. The market is there. Sadly the farmers market closest to me is out of state and that’s where the rich folks go. I think I could advertise my product really well. If all else failed my family and friends who have bugged me for ages about getting my chicken can finally have some. Currently I grow out only enough for my family for a year and even then we don’t get quite a year out of it.