How do I find a processing place????

[arwmommy]

I have looked in the phone book under numerous things (meat processing, hunting) and can't seem to find anything. It may be that there is nothing, given that I am not in a huge hunting area by any stretch of the imagination (southern California near the beach!). I would just be interested in entertaining the idea of raising meat birds if I could be sure that there was NO WAY I would have to process them!

Thanks!

 

[4H kids and mom]

I found mine by typing in "Wisconsin meat processing" and "Chicken processing in Wisconsin". It brought up a listing of about 10 places semi-close to me. I called them all and checked prices and factored in the drive time from my home to them and found that the one closest to me was the best deal. It cost $3.20/per bird to have mine culled, cleaned, dressed, USDA inspected, vaccuum sealed, and flash frozen. They dont put any fancy labels on the package (only a small one that you can cover up with your own label and it only says where the bird was processed.) and if you have your own labels, they will put them under the plastic before freezing so you are left will a clean, professional looking dressed bird for your eating, or for sale. I was quite pleased with the results, and I will be raising larger batches year round now because I have found them. They also offer a discount for more birds ($2.70/per bird if you bring in 25, and only $2.20/per bird if you bring in 50.) when all done at the same time, because they are a smaller place. I liked the "mom and pop" feel of the place, and I liked that I could "watch" through the plate glass window if I wanted to. I didnt have time to stay and watch that time, but I did see them with someone elses birds after plucking, and they were thorough and clean.

If you cant find something near you, let me know and I will look too and see what I can come up with in your area. Also, try calling some of the beef or pork processers and ask them for a referral on who does chickens. I am sure they will be able to tell you.

 

[M&J IL]

Hi

Did you find any processors near the illinois and Wis line. I am looking for a processor for three turkeys. Did you find any limits on how may birds the processor will accept. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[4H kids and mom]

As far as the processing place I used, there is no limit, but you do need an appointment so they can fit you in, especially if you have a larger order. I know the place I used does turkeys, guineas, chickens, and pretty much everything else besides waterfowl.

The place I used is called Twin Cities Pack Inc. and they are located at 5706 East County Road J in Clinton, Wi 53525. The phone number is (608) 676-4428. I know they do turkeys for $8/flat (includes everything) if they are under 25 pounds, and $10/flat if they are over 25 pounds. Poundage is totalled AFTER they are processed, not before like some places do. I asked about turkey prices because I also have a few that I am raising, although they wont be ready until a good couple months from now...

Then there's this place. They are about 20 minutes from the Wis border in Illinois and a small family run operation.

Eickman's Processing Co. Inc., Seward, IL61077
(815)247-8451, (815)247-8463 fax - they are state inspected but I am unsure what they process.


And here are a few other places I found in Wisconsin and Illinois:

Lena Main Meats 500 W Main Lena, IL 61048 815-369-4522 815-369-2075 fax - USDA inspected - Beef, Pork, Lamb & Wild Game

Tom Heise Custom Meats Inc. P.O. Box 456 Marathon, WI 54448 715-443-3734 715-443-2144 fax - State Inspected - All Open (processes everything)

Len Bayer Country Fresh Meats 9902 Weston Ave Weston, WI 54476 715-359-1311 - State Inspected - unsure what services are offered. Just says Custom Slaughtering. Call

Lauri Stettler Holmen Locker & Meat Market 412 Main St. Holmen, WI 54636 608-526-3112 608-526-4740 fax - State Inspected - Also unsure as to what they will process

Terrance L. Beck Beck’s Meat Processing 519 Clairville Road Oshkosh, WI 54904 920-589-2104 920-589-210 fax - State Inspected - Custom Processing and Slaughter of Beef, Pork, Bison, Elk, Deer, Turkey, Emu, Ostrich, and other domestically raised wild game

Lee Falkavage Peoples Meat Market 1765 County Rd J Stevens Point, WI 54481 715-592-6328 - state inspected - unsure on services

Wm. P. Nolechek Nolecheki Meats, Inc. 104 N. Washington St. Thorp, WI 54771 715-669-5580 715-669-7360 fax - state inspected - unsure on services

Jim Vaness Newton Meats Inc 5616 Cty U Newton, WI 53063 920-726-4455 - state inspected - unsure on services

Lee Falkavage Peoples Meat Market 1765 County Rd J Stevens Point, WI 54481 715-592-6328 - state inspected - unsure on services


I will post more if I find them. GL in your search. Its hard to find a plant that will process poultry, but turkeys are sometimes considered a 'game bird' so you may luck out there.

 

[M&J IL]

Thank you so very much for the info. I will contact twin cities.

Thanks again

 

[M&J IL]

Hi again.

Ok I should have asked several more questions. We are new to raising meat birds and started with 3 turkeys. How did the process work for you. Did you withold food as I have read a few days before d day? I was thinking I would bring them up in a large dog crate for transport. Did you have to leave your transport container there and pick up later. Can you wait for them to be processed or do you pick up later on.
We would like to go further with this and raise larger numbers of chickens and turkey if all goes well and works out good. Please again any info would be very helpfull. I know that this is a question that has been asked of me several times and I have had no answer as we have not gone through the process of having birds processed

Thanks for all the work put into finding processors.