Getting started & permits?

[Duckles]

My husband and I were asked if we were interested in raising some meat chickens on our farm and selling them to a local restaurant. I'd love any advice on getting started, how much space per chicken, preferred breeds, feed etc. We are in Massachusetts and I don't know if we need a permit to sell the birds if we don't plan to process them ourselves.

So far we've only had birds as pets, any advice on how to transition to raising larger quantities of meat birds would be much appreciated

 

[CubanRooster]

what part of Massachusetts are you in? different areas have different ordinances

 

[CubanRooster]

also cornish X seem to be very good as meat chickens.

 

[Duckles]

Western mass

 

[CubanRooster]

I meant are you in Pittsfield? Natick? what area? because different areas have different ordinances.

 

[Oregon Blues]

Most likely, if you want to sell to restaurants, you will have to use a USDA inspected butchering facility. Selling to restaurants is not the same as selling to the people down the road for their own table. The restaurant will be re-selling the chicken, so the rules are different.