I am raising rabbits and chickens (for eggs). Thinking of raising some meat birds and maybe even some heritage turkeys next year. Just wondering how to find a local processor for processing rabbits and chickens, in lieu of processing them myself, the way i do now.
I scour craigslist, and just drive around and take note of the farms I see that are obviously raising birds to sell/eat... then I call 'em up and ask. yesterday, my processing guy called and said that his dad is sick and he couldn't do my turkeys, so I, totally freaking out, found someone in the area advertising on CL for Fresh Turkeys to be picked up on Sunday (today), called them, and managed to piggy back onto their appt. for the mobile unit. i did have to bring my animals to their farm, but it got done!
I contacted my State Board of Animal Health to inquire about processing plants. They are able to provide you state inspected processing plants. However, they do not have the lists of folks who do it in their spare time as a "hobby" per se, since they are not inspected. Good Luck!
I just asked at my local feed store. They gave me a list of places to go, told me where to avoid, and even a name of a local who would come right to my house.
