Last of this first batch went in today

[aran]

what is the cost of processing them? Is it something where you just take the live birds in a box to the place and they send them back cleaned and dressed? If you count food and time and processing is it worth while financially? I mean i understand the importance of knowing the birds were well treated and fed and you know they hadnt been given hormones or anything but financially what does it cost per bird to DIY?

 

[4H kids and mom]

Of course in the long run, it would be cheaper to do it ourselves. However, I occasionally sell some of my finished birds, so they have to be USDA inspected and I am not licensed for that. It costs $3.20 per bird to have them culled, plucked, cleaned, dressed, inspected, packaged, and flash frozen. I like the fact that I don't have to deal with the mess of it all. I go the night before to the plant and pick up the crates, and bring them back home. Early in the morning, we load the live birds into the crates, then into our truck to drop them off at the processing plant. I go back 24 hours later and collect my processed birds, already packages and frozen and labeled for sale. I like it, but it might not fit in some people's financial plans. I have figured out exact costs of raising each bird to 10 weeks old, including the processing price.

Each chick cost me $0.70 from the hatchery. In 10 weeks, my 22 birds consumed 6 bags of feed at $9/per 50 lb bag. Brake that down and its just $2.45/of feed per chicken. Then add the processing cost of $3.20/per bird, and it comes down to just $6.35 to raise each chicken to 10 weeks old and put them on the table. Not bad if you ask me, considering I sell them easily around here at $2.25/lb. To give you an idea, I just sold 3 of my larger birds to a neighbor. One weighed 7.67 ($17.25), one weighed 8.23 ($18.52), and the last one weighed 7.52 ($16.92). All in all, I made $33.64 profit on these 3 birds.

 

[boilerjoe_96]

Glad you had success... I still have 2 birds that I have been too lazy to process...actually to busy to process would be more correct. I did not mind raising them, like eating them, but there is not someone around to process. I have no problems doing 'the deed' and the following cleaning however it is time consuming. I like my birds with skin on and plucked very clean. I doubt I raise anymore mainly due ot the amount of time it takes to process them. With a processor around and charging $3.20 i would probably do again, but I dont have that luxury.....

Glad your birds are turning out well for you...

 

[wischickenlover]

Hi 4-H Kids and Mom,

We have 1 roo, and 65 hens-all layers, and strictly pets. We would never think of butchering any of them. BUT I have been giving some serious thought lately (after reading your posts) about ordering and raising some cornish to fill our freezer for winter. I live in northwestern Wisconsin (about two hours north of Eau Claire). I read in one of your posts that you know of a list of processors in Wisconsin?(as I KNOW I could never do that myself!) So I would have to find one a reasonable distance from me. And, would probably need lots of pointers from you! I am originally from Kenosha and am going for a two week visit before the kids go back to school. How close is that to you? Thought maybe we could even meet up and tell chicken stories! I would appreciate any help you can give! If you would like to e-mail me, it's [email protected].. Thanks so much!

Tiffany