Calling Meat Poultry Producers (Chicken, Turkey, Duck, Goose, ect.)

[dancingbear]

There are Federal exemptions for small producers, but the states can enforce stricter regs and still not let you do business. They can't make the laws less restrictive, but they can (and many do) make them more restrictive. This happens more in states where there are big producers.

In KY, and several other states, they seem determined to prevent small producers from selling meat at all. On the USDA KY website, they say how much they want to help small farmers, but when it comes to meat production of any kind, they do all they can to hamstring the small producer. Even using the ONE and ONLY mobile processing unit available in KY, has so many strings attached that many people can't use it. They really don't want people doing any processing, either. It would cost me so much to use the mobile processing unit, I'd do just as well to take my birds to the only processor anywhere near me, about 80 miles away, and pay them to do the whole thing. They charge $2.85 per bird for chickens.

So, I'm not selling chicken, (at least not dressed) and I'm not processing it. This annoys me greatly, because I could earn a decent supplement to our income, if I could process people's birds for them. I can sell you a live bird, but I can't legally process it for you. Even if I do it for free.

It's possible that I may be able to do a CSA with a catch, the co-owners of the birds could process the birds themselves, here at my place, if I keep my hands off. I can stand by and advise, but not touch. It might be legal for us to do a big processing party and do the birds all at once, I don't know. I'm looking into that.

I can legally sell eggs right here on the farm, but not at a Farmer's market, unless I jump through some expensive hoops. I can sell my produce without a problem though, and items crafted from materials grown here on my farm. I plan to try doing the farmer's market this year, just with garden stuff, and maybe some crafts.

 

[MarriedToTheFarm]

I'm in Michigan and I looked in to processing our own birds last year. Since we were building a new building anyway it wouldn't have been so bad for us to comply with the washable walls, etc. The kicker for us was that since we live on a 100+ year old farm our waste water drains through a field tile, we don't have a septic field. My husband's family didn't know of a field anywhere and the county has no record of a permit ever being pulled for one. I was told that we would have to have our septic system approved to handle the waste water so there is no way we would spend those $$$ plus the cost of the facility itself. I don't know if waste water tanks would be an acceptable option here, they didn't mention that but maybe they just didn't think of it.

Lucky for us there is a great facility right down the road from us that does them for $1.25/bird. Last year we sold only 100 broilers and all to family and friends. This year we're going up to 300 and being a little more cautious. It is right on our order form that we charge $2/lb for the bird and you pay your own processing. We offer to take them to the place down the road and pick them up for the buyer's convenience. The buyers are welcome to take them somewhere else if they please. The only thing I am concerned/confused about is weighing the birds. When we sell beef under the same guidelines the processor weighs them. The chicken processor doesn't weigh them so we usually base our price on the weight after processing. However, this could be a real problem because our scales aren't inspected and if anyone does want to take their birds live I'll have to take their word that they get me a correct weight afterward, or weigh them live and discount a bit.

The $1.25/bird processor is not USDA inspected, I believe she is state inspected. There fore we can only sell our birds pre-contracted like we do. We could sell them out of our freezer if we a)Took them to a USDA plant b)had a license (food retail license or something, less than $100/year when I checked) c)had a separate room or place in our buildings to sell out. Has to have scrubbable walls, floor, etc. just like a processing facility.

I've tossed around the idea of just a set price per bird but I don't see how that's fair to the consumer when there may be a range of up to 2 pounds. How does everyone else handle the weight issue? Also, are you having customers sign somewhere to contract them? I have the above mentioned note about how we work but no place for a signature on the order form. I think that is a good idea.

Great thread, thanks, and keep it coming!

 

[barrybro]

Where in michigan are you?

 

[MarriedToTheFarm]

We're in the Thumb.

 

[barrybro]

I liked the 1.25 per bird. I am in Southwest Michigan.

Barry

 

[zephyrcreek]

I am also in Michigan and have looked into the state laws. I pre-sell all birds and take them to a state inspected facility for the customer. The facility I go to has been very helpful and has made some great suggestions. In fact on my last visit she mentioned a national group that small producers/farmers can join for $100 a year that will provide legal council. They have been in business for 30 years, and have yet to need the help but it is comforting to know it's there if needed. I just left her a message as I could not remember the organization.

I too am interested in the types of contracts that others are using. I have bought my meat from local farmers for years and have never been asked to sign a contract.


PS, I'm in the thumb too!

 

[Rocky Meadows]

I look into this also and I to am in Michigan. I talked to a lady that runs a farmers market that sells and she said that they have been selling home grown chickens for years and all they have to do is have them butchered by a usda inspected facility. She sales for 8.00 a piece.

 

[pringle]

Has anyone here mentioned quail?Cost wise there the most cost effective bird you can raise for meat and/or eggs.

 

[jaku]

Yeah, Michigan is a pain, but luckily, the state has ZERO money, so the MDA inspector I had at my house literally told me that as long as I was just selling a few, I'd have no problem. He said they don't even have the manpower to inspect the large poultry farms. He told me all the things I'd have to do to "officially" comply, but basically said that it would cost me around $5000, and it wouldn't be worth it if I was planning on doing it on a small scale. I was told the same stuff about the well- that I'd have to get a new drainfield and everything. He even said that the rules were stacked heavily against the guy who just wants to sell a few chickens.

 

[PeepsInc]

Average turkey sells for about $30 at auction here. last weekend people had spring fever & they sold as high as $55. I hate those pooping machines, but I'm gonna order 50 chicks. In this economy you have to use what you know to make a buck. They'll be even higher priced before thanksgiving. Rabbits are another money maker