Transporting The Meaties to Their Doom

[Merryment]

I pay $2 per bird in a USDA inspected facility. Drop them off Monday morning, pick them up that evening, vacuum packed and labelled. The facility is part of a drug rehab program, so the participants get a job and some trained supervision. It's a really clean, well-run operation, and they treat the birds respectfully.

As for bird transportation, a few years ago I sucked it up and got a chicken transport crate. It folds flat when not in use for easy storage. The birds don't have the height to run around or get hurt, so they stay pretty much down and docile. We use it to take the birds to the processor, or when we sell layers and need to get them to their new homes. I've never regretted it as an investment. Good luck.

 

[WishboneDawn]

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Different processor I think. I considered one down your way (probably the one you're thinking of) but there's one closer to me. He does them for $3 a bird. Also turns out he's my husband's first cousin.

 

[WishboneDawn]

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We're going to be looking for used pet crates this year for our batch next year. The cardboard boxes worked but really didn't give enough airflow for the guys to be really comfortable.

Got the chickens back tonight. Processed at 10 weeks and though there was one runt at 5.5 lbs the rest were all 6-8 lbs.

I ended up buying insulated, canvas, shopping bags for $3 a piece. They're folded up and ready for next year now!

 

[mcf3kids]

Is that dressed weight? 6-8 lbs?

 

[WishboneDawn]

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Yup - processed, cleaned and bagged. We sort of thought some of the roosters were up around 10-12 lbs in the last week when they were running around the lawn. I had wondered if free-ranging them might mean less weight but I guess it also meant a lot more protein as they happily consumed all the slugs on the lawn plus their feed.

 

[al6517]

Everbody's advice is great I might just add, when it comes time to catch them and put them in the trailer do so in a fast and efficient way as to not stress them and freak them out so much, they will expire from the commotion. Look for purple combs and labored breathing, it's not a good sign. Also I would provide the smallest amount of room possible during the transport, this will keep them from getting jossled and falling all around risking a busted leg or something.

 

[WishboneDawn]

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We didn't have any problem with them getting stressed when we were loading them. We didn't bother with filling the feeder after about 5-6 weeks and simply went out and dumped a bunch of food for them throughout the day and then let them free range for slugs and such. So we were associated with food plus they got a lot of exercise with all the free ranging and running around after us. They also had quite a bit of stress with our dogs chasing them on occasion and we never had an issue.

I don't know if how we raised them made them a little more fit or if we maybe lucked out and got better stock to begin with? Or it could completely be beginner's luck.

 

[al6517]

It was definitely the way you raised them, you were able to make them stronger by routine. I am highly supportive of any ways to make them fit, great job.

 

[WishboneDawn]

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Thank you!

 

[Merryment]

Just to clarify, our transportation crate is plastic, made by Kuhn, I think. Lots of ventilation, 2 trap doors, low profile, so they are snug and not jaostled about. It cost about $50, but was worth it.