Surviving Minnesota!

[Coffee 1st]

Last year I bought free range/pastured, processed frozen chickens from a CSA in Big Lake. I thought it was a fabulous deal at $90.00 for 8 birds. Sadly I wrote them this year to see if they were doing chickens again and they said not this year, they would have to work out some kinks and maybe try again in the future. I wish I could find another outfit doing that. I got 4 birds in July, and 4 in October. That might be something you could think about doing Ralphie. ooooorrrrr Anybody out there do a chicken CSA? Or know someone who does something like that? Basically I signed up and I paid them in February for the chickens, and picked them up later after they were ordered, raised, and processed.

I guess I could dip my foot in the pool at Ralphies processing class if the invite is still out. I remember as a kid being involved in that with my aunts chickens, mom put us to work plucking pin feathers, probably cause we had small hands (no child labor laws back then). I didn't mind so much, because they weren't my pets I guess. I really should do it. I guess i'm kinda a big chicken... But, PM me when you have the details about your day Ralphie, I'll have to grow a pair!

It is a skill I would like to learn, as someday I may need it if SHTF. Which is the same reason I do a garden, and raise chickens for eggs. reading about bee keeping yes, i'm a tin hatter. My husband said that menards has a bee keeping set up. and i've also seen them at fleet farm. I did get my first book about bee keeping in the mail yesterday, time to start reading!

sshhhh,,,delete those amounts we dont want Ralphie raising his prices,,, lol....but I did just make my last bird tonight for dinner and it was over 8 lbs..

 

[memphis]

Hey folks!

Klop - my Speckled Sussex lay a medium/large egg.

Cluckies - I've never processed a chicken. I'd love to learn. Sounds like a fun group to learn with.

Coffee - I've read what Ralph has posted about Porter over on the turkey thread! He's isn't being a bellybutton...he wants attention! Poor boy.

 

[duluthralphie]

Kloppers I have figured out the processing room!

http://www.menards.com/main/buildin...441929162-c-10153.htm?tid=4619357254650308293

$240. !!


I can set one of these up in one of my sheds, put my table and a fridge or/and a small freezer inside of it.


I would have a cement floor, and these for sides and ceiling easily cleaned with my pressure washer or a hose.


Also in re-reading the rules it says it might be inspected. No where does it say it has to pass an inspection and there is no penalty listed. Even though I think this would satisfy the law and be sanitary.

I was thinking about the "kill" area. Many Many moons ago, when I was 18, I worked for a very short stint* at a meat processing plant. The kill area was outside under a roof. In re-reading the rules they talk of a meat room. That would be the room the meat goes to once plucked in the case of chicken and or skinned in the case of mammals.. What do you think? Would this satisfy the rules?













* short stint means less than 2 weeks. It was the job that made me want to go to school and get a better job.........

 

[Cluckies]

Morning peeps. Well my new coffe cup is a hit at work...

I wonder if we'll get any of that snow at my house. Time will tell, but I doubt it. Ralphie, let me know when it starts snowing there...and those chicks are the cutest!
Have a great day everyone!

 

[KlopKlop]

Kloppers I have figured out the processing room!

http://www.menards.com/main/buildin...441929162-c-10153.htm?tid=4619357254650308293

$240.   !!


I can set one of these up in one of my sheds, put my table and a fridge or/and a small freezer inside of it.


I would have a cement floor, and these for sides and ceiling easily cleaned with my pressure washer or a hose.


Also in re-reading the rules it says it might be inspected. No where does it say it has to pass an inspection and there is no penalty listed.   Even though I think this would satisfy the law and be sanitary.

I was thinking about the "kill" area.  Many Many moons ago, when I was 18, I worked for a very short stint* at a meat processing plant. The kill area was outside under a roof. In re-reading the rules they talk of a meat room. That would be the room the meat goes to once plucked in the case of chicken and or skinned in the case of mammals..   What do you think?   Would this satisfy the rules?   













*  short stint means less than 2 weeks. It was the job that made me want to go to school and get a better job......... 

That is exactly like what I saw and was trying to describe as a high tunnel. Don't know why I didn't think of a portable garage. Would definitely work! Check harbor freight to see if they have a cheaper one. I've seen them down around $100 there.

As far as the failed inspection, see page 4 of that MDA document. You could face 'additional regulatory actions such as embargo, recall, hearings, fines, or condemnation and destruction of the illegal food items'

I would say fines and recall would be the most likely. Imagine having to initiate a recall on your chicken... That could ruin you

 

[lvie]

I didn't do to well when it came time for me to do the chopping of the necks I tried 2 birds and didn't do so well so the guys took over my mistakes.To put it lightly.. And I did cry but everyone was kind enough not to notice. But doing that did help when it came time to have to cull 1 of my girls. I did much better at the plucking and gutting. So that is what I think I will stick to doing this year.. Hopefully you can make it..

I didn't do to well when it came time for me to do the chopping of the necks I tried 2 birds and didn't do so well so the guys took over my mistakes.To put it lightly.. And I did cry but everyone was kind enough not to notice. But doing that did help when it came time to have to cull 1 of my girls. I did much better at the plucking and gutting. So that is what I think I will stick to doing this year.. Hopefully you can make it..

Good Morning and I am hoping with high hopes that I can make it this year. We have two weddings in June and one is Saturday the 11th. Otherwise I want to keep my Saturdays open so I can make it this year. Thanks for the comfort that you cried and it will be okay for me to do that too. I already want to cry so that must mean that I am anxious but what the heck, gotta work through it and come out the other end. Either I will never do it again or learn that it is the way of it and it must be done. Harden the heart a little.

 

[lvie]

Deciding soon is not something I do well. I have not even thought about ordering birds yet.

I am thinking about summer though. I am trying to decide if I want to "buy" a stall at the farmers market in Elk River. I wish I had someone to go in on one with me.

I am thinking of selling eggs, chickens, turkeys and veggies. ( my Excess ones.) Every week is a little often If I could every other week it would be perfect.

I have been reading the rules, as I read them I can sell smoked chickens and turkeys there as long as I use wood I "raised". I have a whole apple tree cut into smoking pieces. I was thinking of Processing 5-10 chickens a week or every other to sell there.

Hey Ralph - ya all don't have to decide soon. Just let me know as soon as you decide -k? Coffee is helping me along on this event. Thanks to Coffee.

 

[duluthralphie]

That is exactly like what I saw and was trying to describe as a high tunnel. Don't know why I didn't think of a portable garage. Would definitely work! Check harbor freight to see if they have a cheaper one. I've seen them down around $100 there.

As far as the failed inspection, see page 4 of that MDA document. You could face 'additional regulatory actions such as embargo, recall, hearings, fines, or condemnation and destruction of the illegal food items'

I would say fines and recall would be the most likely. Imagine having to initiate a recall on your chicken... That could ruin you

OH, I did not recall that when I was awake at 3 thinking about this. Your right those are horrible. However, I am stubborn enough I would require them to take me to court before a judge. I have problems with "regulatory actions" being meted out by a bureaucrat, and not by a judge as a result of my breaking a law.


Simply saying they must be harvested under sanitary conditions is kind of vague. You, I and 4 other people might have differing ideas of what is sanitary conditions. I wonder if one of those portable garage things setup on my trailer (flatbed type) would qualify. It does not say it has to be continuously set up. The portable ones could be set up as you need it

In some ways it would be better if they had a checklist to go by and a pre-inspection, than simply saying " under sanitary conditions".


OH and HAPPY GROUNDHOG DAY!!!


I have 4 little girls leaving for Ogilvie today. And I have one "pat". I have no idea if they will want her/him. You would think autosexing would mean not doubt as to boy or girl. I seem to always have doubts...


As I relook this morning, there is less doubt. I hereby declare Pat to be Patrick and not Patrice.

A bowlful of cuteness:

 

[duluthralphie]

Morning peeps. Well my new coffe cup is a hit at work...

I wonder if we'll get any of that snow at my house. Time will tell, but I doubt it. Ralphie, let me know when it starts snowing there...and those chicks are the cutest!
Have a great day everyone!

I have my fingers crossed for no snow!

 

[holm25]

Oooh those chicks are so cute!!! I need a bowl of cuteness now! End of February I am setting some eggs I hope! Have so.e orders for some mutt chicks and a few for Muscovys. I am trading a dozen or so Pheasant eggs for a pair of Muscovy ducklings with a friend of mine. Cant wait!