Hello fellow NJ peeps I have my brother wanting me to raise some chickens just for his freezer..He has been wanting more organic meat in his diet. I get that I told him I would not do so unless I could find someone to process them for me. I am in Galloway and he is in New Egypt, so if anyone knows of someone it would be a great help. I know he has gotten into organic and I respect that..I kind of wish he would just want to raid my garden. He's my brother and if I can help I will..I did notice the price of organic chicken at store...wow!
I hope he's not looking to save money, because raising them can cost much more than buying them, especially with the cost of organic feed, and is certainly more work. Also, I don't recommend the types of breeds they sell as "meaties," meaning the cornish crosses, for beginners. They are NOT regular chickens. I think there are some farms down your way that sell chickens already processed. Check out localharvest.com, or the locavore app. You can always visit the Amish stand at the Columbus Market, as well. There's plenty of sources out there.
Think this through carefully. I know a few backyard people who did this thinking they'd like to raise meat for their families with the meaties, and all of them regretted it. Now, if you wanted to raise heritage birds, that take a much longer time to grow, that is different. I know people who do it this way, and it is much more satisfactory. But, you have to pay for organic feed all of that time. I'm all for organic everything, but I think raising them naturally, as opposed to organically, in your own backyard, is just as good, if not better. At least you know what the bird ate.