Ok, so if I won't do it, and hubby won't do it, who will?

[rancher hicks]

Perhaps you can find someone who will do it for you on craigs or someone who can do it with you and you can learn from them.

At the risk of offending anyone and I certainly don't condemn those who choose the vegetarian/vegan lifestyle. I offer these verses.


Acts 10:12 - 13
..........and fowls of the air. And there came a voice (God)to him, rise Peter; kill and eat. Would God tell Peter to do something that is wrong? Of course not.

Basically Peter was having trouble offering salvation through Christ to the gentiles, non jews, God told him........... Read the whole thing its' really quite interesting.

All the Best
Rancher

 

[Ridgerunner]

* If I hatch out my own chickens I would assume that we should "process" the extra roos.

You can or you can give them away, maybe on Craigslist or put up a sign at the feed store if they will allow it.

* How old would a roo need to be (we aren't doing specific "meat birds" that have a life expectancy of 6-8 weeks).

Depends on how you cook him. I don't have the chart handy but you can fry them if they are fairly young, say 16 weeks, roast them if they are a bit older, but after about 19 to 20 weeks, I start long and slow methods. I use all the bird that I can. We cook and eat the breast, legs and thighs and use the backs, necks, wings, legs, gizzard, and heart for broth. After making broth, we pick the back, neck, and wing meat and use that for tacos or chicken salad. Not much goes to waste. But it is cooked long and slow, allowed to simmer but never come to a full boil.

* If I won't do it, and hubby won't do it.... where would I find someone to process? Any ideas what the going "rates" for that would be?

Check with your county extension agent's office, in the phone book under county government. I'd be surprised if they don't know someone near you who processes chickens. No idea what the going rate for your area is.

 

[cmom]

In our area some of the local markets and meat markets will do it, but I have a person that does mine and I just share the birds with him. I have 15 that are about to be processed. I keep half and the guy that does it for me keeps the other half.

 

[chikadeedoodah]

Quote:
I would love to find something like this. We aren't ready yet, but when it is time this would be perfect for me. My family just can't do it... yet. We're still newbies. Besides, someone else is going to be much more efficient at it. Another quick question - does the meat taste better than the stores?

 

[chicknjane]

Ask your local feed store. Mine put me in contact with a family that does it for $1.40 per bird for orders of 10 or more $2.00 for singles or smaller orders.

 

[mkwags]

I know in my area someone advertises to process birds for $2/bird. I think the county extension office is a great resource to use as a contact. Try them for info.

 

[Dixiedoodle]

I agree, call you Ag. dept and ask them. Ours has a 'poultry guy' who knew there was a small processing plant in the next county. It's expensive because they have a USDA inspector on duty all the time. But everyone one says they are great..

Many people only do it word of mouth because of regulations/gov.. stuff. My father in law used to have an older couple who did it on 'halves'--he provided the chickens and they did the processing and would even cut the chickens up.. He always did 110 chickens.

 

[scbatz33]

Quote:
This is about what I pay too. I talked to the butcher/mom & pop grocery store near where I live. They didn't do it, but they put me on to a place that does. However, that place took a minimum of 100 birds and I only needed a couple at a time. The folks there gave me the names of a few Mennonite farmers in the area.

I was able to contact a fellow who would do small quantities of birds super cheap. However, he only processes one day a week and you have to call and make an appointment. No bother! I was thrilled to find someone who would process 10 birds at a time. Plus they will cut them or leave them whole. All I have to do is provide the container/bag for the birds to go home in.

Side Note: when I was calling around I asked every place "what's the minimum birds you will process?" Like I said I was told at a couple places 100 birds. When I called the fellow I now use, as well as two other Mennonite gentlemen, they all answered the question the same way: "I can't do less than one." Must be a butcher joke! LOL!