Speaking of farmers markets...

[Bossroo]

What does your guru have to say on this subject ?

 

[KatyTheChickenLady]

how about this;

1. set up your demo birds at the market
2. "sell" at the market, collect the money that week in advance of butchering & ask if they want the bird fresh or frozen
3. butcher that week mid week
4. "deliver" the following week at the same market where you have your demo birds set up to take new orders.

also from a marketing stand point, I would be against the demo birds.
many many people will be put off thinking if they give you money that particular bird will die. the sucessfull vendors at our very large market have great photos and information boards. plus bird poop at a hot market is not going to smell very good or tasty and will probably get you kicked out eventually.

 

[Steve_of_sandspoultry]

I think your best bet would be to go and generate interest like you said then sell them from your house. Lots of pics of yours and some pics of "chicken house" birds. One thing that would really make a sale would be a taste test. Get a grill, I would use charcoal but gas would work to and take just boneless skinless breasts. Then you can slice off thin pieces toss em on the grill for just a minute. Think about it...... the smell would bring people over, small pieces cooked fast would be melt in your mouth tender and juicy, just a dash of salt & pepper to bring out the flavor even more. I think it would work great.

Steve

 

[mychickensrock]

In reading this post, all I can think of is the book I just finished "Everything I Want To Do Is Illegal" by Joel Salatin. Highly recommend it. All the stupid rules that our government and big corporations create make it so hard for the small guy to be able to sell his product. Whatever you do, don't give up! I personally go out of my way to buy my meat products from local, small farmers. At the N.C. State Farmers Market, pretty much all the meat is frozen like others were talking about.

 

[hensonly]

Quote:
you'll be "sitting there with a bunch of flyers" (fliers) either which way, won't you?!

Though meaties don't fly much, do they? Sorry - pun intended!!

Also - if meat must be kept in a freezer if sold on site, but by the other rules it has to be sold live....well, I guess you could keep opening the freezer so they don't suffocate!

Sorry for the frivolity in the face of your frustration!

 

[Olive Hill]

Don't you just love red tape and regulation that makes NO sense whatsoever? /sarcasm

My personal recommendation would be to offer both pre-sales to be delivered at the market the following week and share-type programs. Many people will likely start out with pre-ordered birds but graduate to a share which is a nice continuation of income model. That said, yes it can be a lot of pressure to deliver so make sure you have a good handle on all of your systems beforehand.

Another thing you can do with relatively little effort is a couple of raised beds of veggies to help pull people into your booth. They look pretty sitting on the table, you don't need a lot of them and they're a tiny supplemental income as well as extra marketing.

Other things to look into:

Check out the requirements for samples in your state. Everybody loves samples and samples sell.

Network, network, network. Partnerships with other small producers in the region that are in the business of products that go well as an accompaniment to your meat is a great wayt o boost both your sales and theirs. Think: BBQ sauces, rubs, relishes, etc.

 

[le neige homme]

Quote:
My guess is that will go over like a fart in church. Please let us know how the crowd responds.

 

[helloroe]

I agree that people will be put off by seeing the live bird. Here I keep my laying hens visible and the broiler pen out of site. Visitors always ask, "Is that what we will be eating" I say no, and they are fine then. The ones that have seen the broilers get "attached" and cannot stand it.

The red tape in FL is disgusting. To sell one bird or one dozen eggs we are required to have a fully licensed USDA site. This is financially impossible. I found a vendor in the state that marks his butchered birds and eggs as such;

"Per Florida law, our products are labeled "animal feed supplement, not for human consumption" as they are not processed under government inspection." So he claims he figures they are buying it for animal food, he has no clue once the customer has picked it up. Talk about reading between the lines.

There is another vendor that sells you a live bird, weighed and sold on such, but he will butcher it as a favor to you.

We just sell to friends and family. If you are on my property you must be one or the other.

 

[Skyesrocket]

One thing that would really make a sale would be a taste test. Get a grill, I would use charcoal but gas would work to and take just boneless skinless breasts. Then you can slice off thin pieces toss em on the grill for just a minute. Think about it...... the smell would bring people over, small pieces cooked fast would be melt in your mouth tender and juicy, just a dash of salt & pepper to bring out the flavor even more. I think it would work great.

This is a great idea. I would pass on the live bird being there. Most people are so disconnected from their food source that this could be a turn off. You might even get people there wanting you to "release the poor bird".
I have seen buffalo jerky and freezer beef sold this way with food samples and they seemed to be doing a good business.
Good Luck and let us know how it works out for you.​

 

[cattleman999]

Quote:
That's not a bad idea. Do you do that? What are the pitfalls of a CSA? Seems like it would be a lot of pressure to deliver.

And are there any books or other information sources out there on setting up a CSA, or on how to work a farmers market?

Thanks to all for the help. It is always appreciated.

What part of Oklahoma are you in? I am in the Tulsa area and have been thinking about starting to try raising meat birds for sell. I have my first 10 CX that are 15 days old today. Who did you talk to with the state ag dept.? Any information would be very helpful.