Post by farmertrappe on May 3, 2016 7:47:34 GMT -5
Hit the feed and water right away.On a much unhappier note I retook the class to get fully licensed to sell processed birds off my farm. The additional regulations are freakin' incredible. I have to capture all the water used in the process and apply it to my fields under a nutrient management plan. I could rant for an hour, but the good news is I have chicks on the farm and lots more on the way.
I have 700 on order coming in groups of 100 one month apart. I hope to order another 300 for the end of the summer if things go well and I get my license crap taken care of.
rendezvous
Swamptalker Extrordinaire 07/15, 12/15 Swamp Talker of the Month - 2015 Swamp Talker of the Year
I have 700 on order coming in groups of 100 one month apart. I hope to order another 300 for the end of the summer if things go well and I get my license crap taken care of.
OH holy cow! I was thinking you were doing a handful for family and friends. Keep us up to date with the project, as it sounds like a huge one!
I have 700 on order coming in groups of 100 one month apart. I hope to order another 300 for the end of the summer if things go well and I get my license crap taken care of.
Man oh man, farmertrappe, that sounds like work. Remember helping Dad with 100 one summer. Didn't think we would ever get done. Sure were tasty. Good luck with the project. Guess you are taking the saying, "Go big, or go home" to a new level.
farmertrappe
Swamptalker Extrordinaire Swamp Talker of the Month - October 2015, October 2016 - Swamp Talker of the Year - 2016
Post by farmertrappe on May 4, 2016 7:45:19 GMT -5
I ended up around 700 last year, The venture will be a lot more profitable if I can sell at the farmers market. People want the birds and I can get about $3.50 a pound. I'm going to try to start plowing into the paperwork work this weekend.
Sounds like a busy summer ahead, How do you deal with the different age groups. Would you have separate pens. My experience with chickens, they would pick on the little guy. How long does it take to finish, We used to grow to 6-8 pound. Boy they are tasty. Good Luck. old243
farmertrappe
Swamptalker Extrordinaire Swamp Talker of the Month - October 2015, October 2016 - Swamp Talker of the Year - 2016
Sounds like a busy summer ahead, How do you deal with the different age groups. Would you have separate pens. My experience with chickens, they would pick on the little guy. How long does it take to finish, We used to grow to 6-8 pound. Boy they are tasty. Good Luck. old243
I have the birds in movable pens, 50 birds per pen. When I first started to raise meat birds I was trying for weights in the 5-8 pound range. I have found most people prefer a bird that finishes out at 3.5 to 4.5 pounds. Depending on the weather I get them to those weights starting at seven weeks on average. And yes there is always a pecking order in the chicken pen and hog pen for that matter too.
rendezvous
Swamptalker Extrordinaire 07/15, 12/15 Swamp Talker of the Month - 2015 Swamp Talker of the Year
farmertrappe, heard on the radio this morning a Farmer's Market in the Utica area are going to have live chickens for sale, they said it will take about 10 minutes to process them, butchered and wrapped. Talk about Fresh!
Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant.
farmertrappe
Swamptalker Extrordinaire Swamp Talker of the Month - October 2015, October 2016 - Swamp Talker of the Year - 2016
farmertrappe, heard on the radio this morning a Farmer's Market in the Utica area are going to have live chickens for sale, they said it will take about 10 minutes to process them, butchered and wrapped. Talk about Fresh!
Thats interesting marketing, the way it was done back in the forties and in world markets today.
farmertrappe
Swamptalker Extrordinaire Swamp Talker of the Month - October 2015, October 2016 - Swamp Talker of the Year - 2016
Post by farmertrappe on May 17, 2016 7:44:39 GMT -5
I worked Sunday to get this pen fixed up enough to hopefully make another season and got the birds out to pasture. They seemed happy enough after the first night and growing well. This will be their fourth week on the farm. 100 new chicks are arriving on Thursday or Friday. Need to get the brooder box ready tonight. 98 birds and eating out the two ten pound feeders everyday. I will split them into two pens in about 10 days or two weeks.
farmertrappe
Swamptalker Extrordinaire Swamp Talker of the Month - October 2015, October 2016 - Swamp Talker of the Year - 2016
Post by farmertrappe on Jun 20, 2016 8:32:03 GMT -5
Attachment Deleted I got smart and lucky. I met this couple last fall when they bought some honey from me. Turns out they have a mobile poultry processing rig and live less than a mile away. They brought their Roto Dunker, killing cone set up, table and we used my picker and other stuff. The Rotor Dunker is the "real Deal", make the work so much easier than my hand dunking rig. We did 50 birds start to finish in five hours, I do about 18-20 in that time solo, without being cleaned up or packaged. We ended up at $2.50 a bird for their help, worth every penny, pass the cost on to the consumers, they normally charge $4.00 a bird plus mileage and a set up fee.
farmertrappe
Swamptalker Extrordinaire Swamp Talker of the Month - October 2015, October 2016 - Swamp Talker of the Year - 2016
Post by farmertrappe on Jun 20, 2016 8:34:59 GMT -5
Attachment Deleted Ended up with 38 or so birds whole in the cooler, ten for cut ups due to so minor defect and two unsellable that the farmer and his dog will enjoy.
Sold ten on the way to work this am, couple more being picked up soon and I just might be having chicken for dinner.
Last Edit: Jun 20, 2016 8:36:26 GMT -5 by farmertrappe
nytrapper23
Global Moderator Swamptalker of the month 7/2013,12/2014
