Processed meat bird in california...

[Munkeesmama]

We feed a raw diet to our dogs, and are sick of buying water logged chicken from the grocery store. We're looking for a good source for inexpensive (hopefully $1.50/lb or less) locally for processed meat birds. Does anybody know of any sources for meat chickens (or really any other meat) in southern california?

 

[PotterWatch]

I would be very surprised if you can find anything at that price. Small farms can't produce at that cost and there aren't really any large producers around here. Even if you could find a large producer, you wont get one to sell to you as an individual.

 

[AlbionWood]

I calculate direct costs at close to $1/lb, maybe a little more this year... so I too doubt you will find anyone willing to sell processed birds at anything like that price. I wouldn't sell a live one for that, much less process one. Your best bet would be to raise them yourself, it's the only way to get meat that cheap.

 

[Oregon Blues]

Good home raised meat will just not be available at that price.

You can bring them to the freezer yourself for about that, as long as you don't count your labor or the cost of fencing. And as long as you process yourself and don't pay to have it done.

If you are in an area where lots of people have chickens, you can probably get quite a few free roosters. The meat won't be wonderful, but your dogs won't care if it is chewy.

It would be some good shopping to find home raised dressed chicken for under $4 a pound.

Safeway runs sales on chicken for about 80 cents a pound, and I've bought some decent birds from them. It's not as wonderful as the chicken I raise myself, but it is sure cheaper.

 

[Oregon Blues]

Also, I've raised rabbits to feed to my dogs and gave it up. They aren't as cheap to raise as claimed and they cost too much to get to butchering size. They are sure easier to butcher than chickens, though. No plucking and, even better, they aren't stinky inside like chickens are.