selling meat birds

[jk47]

I had an idea that I would raise 4meat birds at a time then advisetise on Craig's list and get a list of buyers before I buy the chicks then when there at the right size then I will call the
Buyer then they can pick up the live birds
And it will be a firsf come first served and the rest can be put on a list for the next batch if they want would this work or would I fail meseribly

 

[phalenbeck]

I tend to think that the person that would process there own bird would also be willing to raise there own bird, as it is kind of the same skill set. Processing is the part that sets folks back. I raise my own, and soon will start buying extra re-homed roosters for a buck or three at my local feed store. For the $3.00 for a young adult roo, nobody is making money. Your market could be different, but selling live meat birds seems unlikely in this one guys mind.

 

[CluckerClubbie]

There is no "fail" there is only "learn." Worst case senerio, all your chicks die before you can process them. Second worst case, you don't sell any, and you get to eat all your own pastured poultry. Not bad. Third worst case, you sell all of it and don't get any for yourself! What a problem to have, right?

Craigslist is good. Find a chiropractor in your area. They love good food. Try an add in your church bulletin. And talk it up.

I ordered my first batch of 16 broilers and 4 turkeys that will hatch Aug 11. Am really excited about it, and I think that my supply will outpace my demand pretty quickly. My cousin processes her own birds and other people's for a fee. She's generously teaching me the craft as she practices it. I don't have the facilities at this time to process my own birds, but she is willing to help me process my own on her farm.

As for buyers, I've put out feelers among my friends and have gotten several "bites," as well as an offer from my chiropractor to post my information on his website and a flier in his office. I said I was raising pastured poultry and could I hang a flier, and he said "Yes! Can I buy some?"

So I already have the beginnings of a customer base to the point where if I think about it too hard I'm a little scared. I have so little experience with all this. Just a big backyard and a small laying flock that won't even start producing until after my meat chicks arrive. And a desire to do this. I never had a job I really loved. I think this could be it!

Think about it. If I can get the facilities to process my own, I can process other people's, too. And I can offer workshops to teach other people in my area how to do it. A little hand holding goes a long way. And I'll never have to eat another store bought thanksgiving turkey again.

Grateful for the information here. I'm going to need all the knowledge I can get. But I know there's a learning curve, and I'll get better at it the more I do it.

 

[jk47]

Now that would be nice not having to wait in those long lines for a Turkey and the feedstore never has that long of a line and who doesn't like a trip to the feed store

 

[LindaB220]

There is no "fail" there is only "learn." Worst case senerio, all your chicks die before you can process them. Second worst case, you don't sell any, and you get to eat all your own pastured poultry. Not bad. Third worst case, you sell all of it and don't get any for yourself! What a problem to have, right?

Craigslist is good. Find a chiropractor in your area. They love good food. Try an add in your church bulletin. And talk it up.

I ordered my first batch of 16 broilers and 4 turkeys that will hatch Aug 11. Am really excited about it, and I think that my supply will outpace my demand pretty quickly. My cousin processes her own birds and other people's for a fee. She's generously teaching me the craft as she practices it. I don't have the facilities at this time to process my own birds, but she is willing to help me process my own on her farm.

As for buyers, I've put out feelers among my friends and have gotten several "bites," as well as an offer from my chiropractor to post my information on his website and a flier in his office. I said I was raising pastured poultry and could I hang a flier, and he said "Yes! Can I buy some?"

So I already have the beginnings of a customer base to the point where if I think about it too hard I'm a little scared. I have so little experience with all this. Just a big backyard and a small laying flock that won't even start producing until after my meat chicks arrive. And a desire to do this. I never had a job I really loved. I think this could be it!

Think about it. If I can get the facilities to process my own, I can process other people's, too. And I can offer workshops to teach other people in my area how to do it. A little hand holding goes a long way. And I'll never have to eat another store bought thanksgiving turkey again.

Grateful for the information here. I'm going to need all the knowledge I can get. But I know there's a learning curve, and I'll get better at it the more I do it.

Hey CluckerClubbie,

Glad to have you You are off to a good start having someone show you the ropes. Be sure and check with the county agent in your area on rules of sale of poultry. Start small, don't overwhelm yourself. Good luck.