How do you find people to process chickens?

[scubaforlife]

I have heard there are something like 6000 backyard flocks in LA. Someone around does it.

 

[rufus]

The health department has shut down almost all small processors in our area. People are forced to either do it themselves or deal with an illegal operation. Either option is not very palatable.

Try your local carnecaria. They will be able to tell you where to go and who to ask for.

Rufus

 

[Bluegrass27]

Here in NC. You can visit the NC Department of Agriculture website and get and up-to-date and complete list of qualified processors. I take deer meat to a few in my area. It may be the same in Cali.

 

[TinyBirds]

www.apppa.org/processors.pdf. gives a list by state. I found one in texas that way. Prior to finding this list I wasted many hours calling places all over the state, coming up empty handed for anything certified or legal. The pdf file explains why that's the case.....

 

[dancingbear]

The cost of processing in KY is high, plus the long drive to get to one of the only 2 processors in the state. We just do it ourselves, saves the cost, the drive, the hassle, and we know the birds were handled correctly. It's not all that hard to do, there are tons of links and videos, and tutorials with pics.

Use of cones to hold the birds for slaughter greatly reduces any splatter, use a bucket to catch blood, if you line it with a plastic bag, it helps a lot with clean-up.

 

[scubaforlife]

Quote:
your link is broken due to the ( . ) on the link. It doesn't show all, just some, states. It is also USDA approved facilities. In Ohio, for example, intra-state inspection is permitted so USDA doesn't apply.

 

[bja105]

Do it yourself, its easy.
You can do it. The first one is hardest, by the 5th, you are an expert. butchering chickens is just something new, like raising your first birds.
I can't believe how many people try to sub out anything remotely difficult or "yucky." I can think of zero valid excuses that someone with the means to raise chickens cant butcher them. If society broke down tomorrow, or the government shut down all local processors, it would be a shame how many people with chickens would apparently starve to death!
Seriously, you can do it yourself. My first birds I did with a chicken book in one hand, its still bloody!

good luck

 

[ChickyLaura]

I sent an email to our county's extension office and got a reply the next day. I haven't had any "done" yet, but I have RIR chicks in the brooder now. I can use the hens, the roosters, well...

I am thankful I have tolerant neighbors, but I think if I started slaughtering chickens in my backyard, that would really be pushing it.

 

[maizie]

http://thedeliberateagrarian.blogspot.com/2008/01/deliberate-agrarian-archives-raising.html


This link is a really excellent starting point for anyone wanting to learn more about processing chickens or turkeys.

 

[peterlund]

Quote:
I have to agree. Today was freezer day for 3 of my Cornish X at a local butcher in Massachusetts... I paid 3 bucks a bird for the killing and plucking. I did the gutting myself, and the processor let me use their table and tools to do so... Great experience. The whole process was not "violent" or anything similar. At the end of a few minutes I was working on a regular chicken carcass. Not my fatties as I called them. My wife is all freaked out, but they look awesome. 7 week birds. Fed grower feed from Poulin grain, and were bigger than I wanted/ expected on butchering. I can't imagine letting them get to 12 weeks!!! THey would be ridiculous sized. The guy at the farm who did the chore said they looked perfect, and guessed their age to the day... he said anything older in these breeds are heavier yes, but full of fat. All of you out there skittish of this procedure, fret not. It is pretty peaceful for the birds... I was there for the deed. I would not hesitate to do it again, and I have been known to be a softy....