Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
BUTCHERING COSTS/MARKETING CONSIDERATIONS
When weighing the costs for butchering birds, consider the time and money already
invested into the project and whether or not it is economical for you to do it yourself.
In many states, you aren't allowed to sell dressed fowl if you do the butchering your-
self, so your decision is made for you. The following items for consideration should
be at the top of your list if you're planning to sell meat.
Consider whether or not you can afford to:
Buy needed equipment and facilities:
Sinks, knives, water-heating equipment,
tables, refrigerators and freezers, and building(s) to house such items as are necessary
to the operation.
Let someone else process your birds.
It is most economical to have the purchaser
pick up the birds live and let them do the butchering themselves. Currently, you can
figure a savings of $2 per chicken, $4 per duck, and up to $10 per turkey, though
these prices vary from area to area and year to year.
Sell at a flat rate.
Sometimes it is the least hassle to just sell the birds at a flat rate
per bird if the buyer plans to butcher them. This saves the time and effort of trying to
weigh a live bird.
Market the butchering as federally regulated.
If safety is an issue for your con-
sumers, the safest method involves taking your birds to a federally inspected process-
ing facility.
Pay for tote and transport methods.
If you are going into the business full
scale, you'll need transport trailers, crates, and a freezer for transporting the frozen
butchered product.
Hire employees.
If your business grows, you may find you need some help.
It's great to have an idea in mind for what you want to sell. But before you launch
into a project such as those listed above, do the necessary research to determine if there's
a demand for it in your particular area.
Got Competition?
Raisers often choose to raise and sell a product that they know people in the area like
and know. It's true that people are sometimes wary about trying something new; un-
fortunately, it's also true that familiar products are familiar because there are so many
of them to go around. Before you begin making plans about selling your products, ask
yourself if you wish to compete with large agribusiness companies by selling something
that is readily available.
