How to sell Turkeys?

[n8mont4]

I have raised 7 heritage turkeys that will be ready by thanksgiving. I want to sell them butchered. If I get them butchered by a butcher am I allowed to sell them directly to the public even if I am just a regular person (not a licensed farmer). Where/How do I sell them? Craigslist?

 

[ColbyNTX]

Don't know about the NY laws. I know here in Texas we can not sell a butchered animal as a regular Joe. Now, we can sell a live animal and then butcher it for someone.

 

[KrisH]

here is a link and an excert for you reading pleasure!

RobertH

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/understanding-the-usda-processing-exemptions

Producer/Grower – 1,000 Limit Exemption - This exemption allows one to raise, process and sell their own poultry to people. The article above lists the requirements for records, but these are mainly

• The poultry grower slaughters no more that 1,000 healthy birds of his or her own raising in a calendar year for distribution as human food;
• The poultry grower does not engage in buying or selling poultry products other than those produced from poultry raised on his or her own farm;
• The slaughter and processing are conducted under sanitary standards, practices, and procedures that produce poultry products that are sound, clean, and fit for human food (not adulterated);
• The producer keeps records necessary for the effective enforcement of the Act [Title 9 CFR 381.175] (this would mean recording dates of purchase and sale, who the chicks were purchased from, who bought the meat, and the weights of the processed chickens).
• The poultry products do not move in commerce (across state lines).

Always contact your state Ag Department representative first to determine if your state follows the USDA exemptions!​

 

[frank53061]

Hay do you have a farmers market not to far away.........?

My Turkeys will be full grown at Christmas time I will take some in the fall maybe or Spring and give that a try.
I have a old Chicken tractor that will fit in the back of my Truck with a door on it I plan on using.
If I am able to sell them live then thats so much better than dressing them out.
I will just have to see.

Good Luck.

 

[Lagerdogger]

In Minnesota, we are only allowed to sell form our own farms. Once you go to a farmer's market, you technically need to get your birds inspected. People sell unininspected birds all the time, but if you want to do it right, you better check.

You should have no trouble finding people that want to buy your birds that will also help you butcher them. We typically have an assembly line of 8 to 10 people whenever we do chickens (100 to 300) or turkeys (15 to 30).