Processing Costs?

[Gus Powell]

I am raising meat birds for a school project and they are a few weeks out from needing to being processed. I don't know about about how processing works. Where can I take my chickens to be processed? I am only raising 4 chickens. Also, how much does it usually cost to have them processed? Thanks

 

[Folly's place]

Welcome!
Processing costs vary a lot, depending on where you live and who's doing it. A backyard person who does a few extra birds every year may be very inexpensive, as in $2, while a business that's inspected might charge $5 or so.
You need to find who's available within reasonable driving distance, and how well they do things. Or, find someone experienced, and ask to help, and learn how yourself.
Mary

 

[Mosey2003]

Better start looking now and call some, many of them close down for the winter.

We paid $2 each to one, but we had to drive an hour and the place was terrifying. That's not typical though.

 

[archeryrob]

We did our own. Local Mennonite wanted $4 whole and $5 cut. I said "damn, I can buy chicken at walmart for that." I wish you luck finding something affordable, we didn't.

 

[UThobbyfarmer]

I've paid $10 a bird before. They were an hour away. In my area it's very difficult to find someone to do poultry.

If I could pay $2 each for someone else to do it I'd be raising a lot more meat birds!

 

[jolenesdad]

Where are you located? For a small number of birds it’s pretty much 5.00 per birds around me. Cutting up the bird is additional.

 

[FortCluck]

I just looked into processing in my area a few weeks ago and realized it's cheaper to just do it myself. It was $5 per bird... And it's hard to find someone who processes them.

 

[Mosey2003]

I mean, I don't begrudge them the cost. Building and equipment and employees and inspection all cost money, and they're providing a service. I'd like to open a butcher shop myself.

 

[Folly's place]

We used to do it ourselves, but now I'm happy to pay the $5 to avoid the mess, and bring home chilled shrink wrapped chickens.
Mary