How We Turn A 4 Pound Chicken Into $38 - Processing Pastured Poultry

[@marcypetty3375]

A good quality chicken melts in your mouth. All our friends say they never knew how much difference there was in store bought to fresh chicken. Mmmm

[@SheratonParkFarms]

Exactly! World of difference. Thanks for watching.

[@pamelamercado6902]

I think Sondra does the best illustration and explaining when she's showing and telling others how to dispatch chickens and even when she gave info on the pigs. You both do a great job. In my area people squeal when you tell them $4.75 Lb for chicken I just explained how much money has been put into the chicken and why my chickens are healthy and taste great That there not store chickens they usually buy a chicken and some are my best customers now. I'm glad you're able to get good money for a good product.

[@SheratonParkFarms]

Sure is awesome! You’re so right. You have to provide that education to people on why your Chicken is so much better. Requires some salesmanship and investment in the customer.

[@LtColDaddy71]

They squeal (some … if they don’t get it) at the $3.99 whole, $4.99 cut we charge. And. I’ve earned the organic label. I don’t have the commercial quality of the Cornish cross. It really is the best chicken, but you do have to buy them in. I won’t do it, won’t be at the mercy of a supply chain if I can help it. I get it though, it does pay you back with interest to go with the Cornish.

[@SJA-ox3hs]

Dude I’ve watched them all, you are providing sound education no BS. Keep it up great content, both of you!

[@SheratonParkFarms]

Thank you so much. We really try and want to help folks. Appreciate y’all watching.

[@scottyarellano]

As an aspiring farmer this video was incredibly helpful. You answered a major question I had. And good on you on the price. Cheap costs more. If people don't get it, then move along. Y'all should make a good living as well.

[@SheratonParkFarms]

Thanks for watching.

[@StonerSmurfin]

How come you don't put the zip tie on before you dunk it in the hot water instead of putting the tie on, dip it, remove straw, tighten up the zip tie?

[@SheratonParkFarms]

🤷‍♂️ good question. Haven’t tried that.

[@jrod4488]

That's the way I've done it. We have the same bags. It works great.

[@joecascia9714]

That's the way to do it.

[@bruceswabb7145]

You two are so generous! You have no idea how much you have helped us!

[@SheratonParkFarms]

Glad we could help.

[@james-dt7gd]

I grew up in rural Jennings La with my grandfather raising our own meat and vegetables. Now, I have started clearing land to start my own farm. LeJeune Refined Farm. Our motto is “Family Owned-Passion Raised”!! Y’all inspire me!! I even got a RUKO drone, because of y’all, and love it!! THANK YALL!!

[@SheratonParkFarms]

That’s awesome! Good luck with the farm. Thanks for watching.

[@leroymiller4989]

Your process is faster than ours was as a kid my dad 4 boys mom and sister would process 100 to 125 chickens in half a day all the water was heated on the stove dad and us boys would dispatch and pluck while mom and sis would clean and quarter then we all helped packing sure miss the good old days when we all worked together You have a great setup!!!

[@theElderberryFarmer]

I'm glad that things came together smoothly for you folks today! And Chuck, you are a lucky man. Saundra certainly has skills (and a good sense of humor I think!). Take care and God Bless.

[@SheratonParkFarms]

I’m a lucky lucky guy. Thanks for watching.

[@nickschaps4022]

Not sure these prices would fly in my area, but if we decided to drive a little over an hour to a market in a metro area I could see getting this type of value. Might have to try it out. Whole chickens and turkeys are just much easier to move and process. I am currently totally sold out of my whole chickens for the season, which is 400 chickens at $25 a bird. And many of our customers will pick up at the farm. Maybe we will start piecing them out when I decide to invest in a bandsaw. Appreciate the ROI breakdown on this!

[@user-br2bf1hl6n]

Sondra thank you for showing me how to cut up a chicken right. I am one that does cut up mine, but the tricks you have shown me will make it so much easier. I wish I lived closer I'd be a customer. I'm a 2 day trip from you. Love the channel. Best wishes, Deb

[@budhames5254]

Dang it Chuck you made her smile and laugh! 2 videos in 2 days I LOVE IT! Still my favorite channel, you guys are the best!

[@tlrcarroll]

The way she smiles when you call her “Whistle Britches”😊😂

[@JeremiahCommons]

Bless you, both. I will say I was so scared for your wonderful young lady there when seeing her using that band saw barehanded. I don't know if there is any special equipment for it in regard to safety. It is obvious she is a professional and has the experience to handle it. Personally, I'd be so afraid of losing something due to a sneeze or something unexpected happening. Thank you for these videos. I am learning so much from your videos.

[@erikkkkkkk914]

Yeah some of those cuts were scary....coming from a carpenter.

[@uprightfossil6673]

I am glad I found you. I had the quality argument with my brother in law. Anyone who wants “mystery chickens and eggs” doesn’t want or care about our products.

[@SheratonParkFarms]

100%

[@kennieloo6357]

This is what I was thinking of doing and I’m glad you’ve proved my concept. I’d be one of those that wouldn’t want a whole bird because that would limit how I could cook it. I think this adds a massive amount of value. Thank you again for sharing!!

[@blackstonecap]

Great video! I'm amazed at the prices you are able to get

[@sarahlink9168]

Wow thank you for the Education!! NC born and raised and getting ready to raise my first batch of meat birds for my family . Have watched lots of your content and appreciate you sharing!!

[@deanl4193]

Floridapoultryshrinkbags are very good quality. I started with those, when I ran out I bought some cheap china stuff for the next batch and got so mad using them, I made cutups out of the rest of the batch. Very very good bags. Although I dont notice any powder in them like I did with the cheap china bags. As always solid content, thanks for sharing with us; filming adds so much labor to the process I appreciate it. (Texaspoultryshrinkbags also have very good reviews)

[@johnforeman9926]

I understand the care, feeding and processing cost of the chicken has to be recouped! How ever, the cost of (One) bird equals 10% of my monthly food budget! Knowing your market is different than other markets, that price of $38 may be normal. With what is happening with food prices, energy and slow-growth wages, we have to shop at the stores where we can eat within our budget. Keep up what you are doing. 😊

[@willowriverranch7965]

That right there is why we have a farm. We feed organic, no soy/corn feed, and our cost is $3.05/lb. Roughly $15/bird, plus $0.50/bag. I make 2 meals for a family of 5 out of one whole chicken. One day we eat it, I shred any meat left over, and then put the bones in the instant pot and make broth overnight. Combine the shredded chicken with some veggies and the broth and chicken soup the next night!

[@SheratonParkFarms]

Does the $15 per bird include your profit?

[@nightraven2913]

@@willowriverranch7965 would you please share what brand of organic, no corn / soy feed you use? Interested to see if I can locate in my area. Thanks

[@BinfordMJ]

I must admit, I cannot afford those prices, but if I could, I would be so happy to pay for good quality meat. Knowing how it was raised makes such a difference.

[@amandar7719]

The eviscerating, quartering and so forth on slippery surfaces certainly needs a steady hand. 😮 Reminds me of when I lived in the Far East. Chinese would use cleavers to separate chicken and pork down Butcher’s Alley: bang bang bang in seconds with razor sharp precision. Yet they always had a complete set of fingers. 😱 New setup works great. 👍🏻

[@SheratonParkFarms]

Yes it does! Thanks for watching.

[@georgeunderwood5711]

I'm a baked sweet potato guy. Love your gardening advice. It has improved my results immensely. Already getting to hot down here in South Texas. I can be a real challenge at times. Have had nice rain for a change. Soon to be over.

[@michelletaylor1983]

Texas Poultry also has great American made shrink bags! Also no powder in their bags either. I got that company from another channel, don't recall which one, but we've used them for three batches now and really like them. We also just use the straw (which i think came with the bags) and don't make the slit. We use their labels and as long as the bag is dried off well after the shrink dunk, label sticks well and stays on.

[@willowriverranch7965]

I was wondering what the powder was…. I’ll take a look! Thanks!

[@jokertim777]

Thank you for taking us step by step through the process and showing all those wonderful tips, tools, and thought processes that you use.

[@GrassyForkFarm]

What kind of birds are they? They sure did raise good! Love how you explain everything out and share so much valuable information. Thank you!

[@SheratonParkFarms]

These were Freedom Ranger Color Yield. Great birds!

[@mikehoncho6109]

I love your videos. Where I’m from to process food for sale you have to have triple sinks an super clean areas. I notice y’all work in the barn area with dogs next to you while you process the chickens. I’m not complaining just curious if your state regulations are different. A lot of good info I. Your videos. Thank you for your hard work.

[@0ldManBama34]

Do your bags come pre-cut! You guys are awesome. It's folks like yall that have given me the confidence to move back to the country and start a farm. My boys are learning a whole new life and skill set! Thank yall!

[@robinwhitlatch4497]

The new equipment makes all the difference when processing so many birds in 1 day!

[@Saltwatercowboy79]

I wish we could hear her talking. Thank you always for your content you guys are helping many of us grow... stay blessed. 🤙🇺🇸🇷🇺✌️

[@allonesame6467]

That is wonderful! Congratulations! // Those backs & wing tips would make good broth, canned up that would be an excellent value added product you or an associate could sell. I'd do it but I'm way up in Maryland. Love what you do. Keep Going! Blessings Abound.

[@jeanniesquiltingicu]

Thank you for this video. I have been processing/cutting up chickens for a long time but have never seen it done so easily. Thanks you can teach an old pro a new trick or two.

[@RocketshipRob]

Whistle Britches...I love it!

[@SheratonParkFarms]

That’s her! Thanks for helping!!

[@KatBell2Chronicles7.14]

I like that tube idea better than the slit we did!

[@SheratonParkFarms]

I’ve never tried the slit method. Guess we’ll stick with what works.

[@Lady_of_Ishpeming]

The price people pay for convenience...but I would personally pay for quality! Thanks for sharing and God bless 🙌

[@johnkillen588]

love seeing farmers getting ahead

[@shawndugay4089]

You can program the price per pound into your scale and it will do the total price calculation for you.

[@SheratonParkFarms]

It will. But if we need to change prices we don’t want to relabel. Just putting the weight on gives us flexibility.

[@michaelgriffee145]

Where did you come by them big blue box thats in the back ground they are call frozen food boxes

[@SheratonParkFarms]

Found them at a salvage yard. May use them to go pick up boxes of product.

[@jamesdwyer5050]

Very good video, thank you all so much for sharing the info like you all do on so many subjects, we appreciate you al very much.

[@bennybwood]

Great demonstration! Question: do you have to do anything special to be able to sell this at a farmers market since you’re not processing at a usda plant?

[@SheratonParkFarms]

Yes. We have to be inspected, have our water tested and are limited to the number of chickens we can do. Each state is a little different on poultry. Thanks for watching

[@iaroadkill2354]

Best Instruction video on bird cutting. Thank you!

[@SheratonParkFarms]

Thanks! Appreciate y’all watching.

[@jameseidahl367]

Chuck....Sound advice and honest advice. I love that. You got the best routine I have ever seen for proccessing chickens. I have never seen a blancher like that. That is amazing and the bags are great too. You got this down to a farmer science!!!! What brand is that chicken scalder? Long time follower from Oregon state!

[@littlehomesteadnearthebigcity]

Do you recommend saving up to buy the high end processing equipment before raising chickens to sell, or does it make sense to buy the more economical yardbird equipment, for example, until you can afford the better stuff? Great video!

[@SheratonParkFarms]

Start small and see if you are going to enjoy raising chickens before you invest a lot of money.

[@littlehomesteadnearthebigcity]

@@SheratonParkFarms Thank You!

[@Bee_Cathy]

Thank you for the great video. First time packaging with shrink bags this weekend. What type of cutting boards do you use. Preparing throughout the week for the big event. We love your channel here in SW Michigan.

[@bama11137]

I’m wondering where you guys are located. I just processed 53 Cornish cross. I believe where you are located determines the price per pound. Y’all did a great job I learned a few good tricks. Ty

[@larson0014]

Id say ya just need a few good lights on the cutting area. I just got 3 pigs and a week in a training pen, then out to first pasture and they got out but came back an hour later ha, lucky me

[@onerandomvoice]

I would like more details of this scalder, nice video!

[@SJA-ox3hs]

Hey make and model on bandsaw do you like it. Cost of blades thanks

[@tonyfrederick4038]

Outstanding video. Really enjoy watching people that know what they are doing. What breed chickens are you feeding? ASA Browns? How are you feeding? Pasture plus feed or straight feed?

[@williamrobinson7256]

Absolutely love what ur doing we wanna do the same hear at crooked row farms here in Hornell ny thanks for all the good content

[@sandramay7258]

Can you please link the white knives you use for separating chicken parts, thank you

[@michelletaylor1983]

We use hog rings instead of zip ties on the shrink bags, but it takes one person to hold the bag tightly twisted and squeeze air out and pull out the straw, while the other person puts the hog ring on. You kind of need two people for that station anyway, so one person can hold the bag while the other person puts in the bird or parts.

[@tode5675]

More power to ya' if you can get people to pay $4.00+lb for yardbird. My beef goes in the freezer at under $3.00lb, grained Angus from the neighbor cut and packaged to my liking.

[@SheratonParkFarms]

Poultry has been a pretty profitable product line for us. Thanks for watching.

[@debraspinks4312]

Awesome video! Just started raising pastured chickens. Meat and egg layers. Thank you for some amazing tips!

[@kevinholbrook7174]

Hey, Chuck where did you have your labels made? Have a blessed day!🙏

[@sarahmunk1799]

Ok Just wait one min, I have been using shrink bags for 5 years now and never have i thought to put a tube in it!! What size tube is that? That way I can stop cutting slits!

[@SheratonParkFarms]

It’s just a little flexible piece of clear house. Probably 1/2” or so. Thanks for watching

[@sheldonmilligan4874]

Chuck just curious do you all not have the fly problem we have up here in Lansing? Thanks for the great video. 👍

[@SheratonParkFarms]

There are some but we put the cut ups in meat lugs with lids. And we clean up really quick so they are minimized.

[@TheSrphatness]

Thanks for the video! What kind of scalder is that? Were in the market for one and I don' t really care for the Featherman Roto Dunk

[@SheratonParkFarms]

This one is a poultryman. thebirdnerd.biz/

[@ZEVAHDIVA]

Thank you! This is great instruction! Appreciate you both! God bless.

[@Fusion_Coturnix]

How do u find the cost per pound on your phone is that an app? I raise quail and gamefowl and I'm looking into packing them for meat aswell. Thanks. Love your whole process nice job y'all.

[@SheratonParkFarms]

We set price based on our input costs plus the profit we need to sustain the business.

[@hassanolumide4940]

I really enjoyed watching your video. I live in Africa and I am about getting into chicken processing business. I would like know the names of the various equipments you use and where to buy them. Thank you

[@Strenzy]

Great vid! Thank you! That is one heck of a vacuum sealer!

[@waltermack2875]

Beer can chicken is the Greatest ever ❤️❤️it

[@richardsutherland6417]

Would love to see a video on how you developed your marketing.

[@SheratonParkFarms]

Thanks for the idea! That may be the next video. Or at least part of it.

[@kathyline11]

Great explanation and view on how to break a chicken down!

[@edyagger8779]

Excellent!! And thank you for your knowledge!

[@ZmbiBglz]

I wonder if there would be a market for the back bones for soup or chicken stock

[@chrispaulus4491]

Are those Dexter knives?

[@jabba0975]

She makes it look so easy.

[@Mansahx]

That does look much cleaner for presentation to customers

[@jacoblewis3273]

I like how you have broken down what the value-adding brings cost-wise. Where are you getting your price per pound?

[@bradleynickell8285]

Love content like this and will definitely be ordering those bags

[@lmfarms4611]

Great video! Many times you ask a child where a chicken comes from, they reply the grocery store. Do you have a list of where you buy your knifes and knife sharpener from?

[@jgclarke0352]

How did yall start finding your customers? I just have a small salatin style tractor in my backyard that holds max 15 birds. Harvested my first 10 birds last nov. Would love to learn how to start selling some and grow it up.

[@SheratonParkFarms]

We started going to farmers markets, blasting social media, telling everyone we knew. You have to be consistent and it doesn’t happen overnight.

[@SarahPerine]

Thanks so much! What a helpful video🙏🏽

[@benwhite9643]

What method do you use to do pineapple birds versus whole birds ? I was under the impression that we can only do whole bird processing. Where would be cutting birds up without a USDA processing plant be legal or how do I get an exemption

[@SheratonParkFarms]

It’s a state by state decision. Check with your local ag extension department.

[@hicks928]

What size bags are those? Thank you for the video!

[@SheratonParkFarms]

Those are the 10x18. I am really impressed with the quality. Here is the link. Florida Poultry Shrink Bags: flpoultryshrinkbags.com/?ref=6ayf8w54

[@bumblebee6847]

What kinda scissors and knife are you using ? Brand and model

[@phyzix_phyzix]

We're trying to do the same thing. Do you use any kind of exemption or permit to be able to sell the individual parts (breast, leg, wing, etc) at the farmer's market? I only know about custom exempt where the customer buys the live bird and you butcher and process it for them after. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

[@SheratonParkFarms]

We are allowed to sell cut ups in North Carolina. Not sure about other states. Sorry I’m not much help.

[@phyzix_phyzix]

@@SheratonParkFarmsNo worries. Thank you for the reply and videos.

[@maryschillinger2909]

Could you sell packages of just wings for hot wings? If so what would you charge for them?

[@SheratonParkFarms]

Yes we do. $11/pound

[@KPVFarmer]

Thanks for the information, great content. You get what you pay for! Get to know your farmers and how your food is grown 🇺🇸🦅🇺🇸

[@Tochermusic]

Powder in the bags ? Sounds appetizing

[@SheratonParkFarms]

I think is corn starch.

[@PolyonthePrairie1]

Anything special ( permits etc ) to be able to sell parted out chicken ?

[@terriwhite6273]

If they can’t cook a whole chicken what do they do at thanksgiving?

[@sylviarojas4164]

Where can we purchase a scalder like that? It looks very efficient and durable

[@Flowing23]

Great information, thank you. Sandra broke up the chicken with the poultry shears and knife as just a demonstration? Do you normally run all the birds through the bandsaw? After the bird has been broken up into pieces, is it possible to use the heat shrink bags to package the breasts, leg thighs, and Wings etc ? Thank you again.

[@SheratonParkFarms]

Yes. We use the band saw to save time. The cut ups are vacuum sealed. Only the whole birds get the heat shrink bags.

[@Flowing23]

@@SheratonParkFarms Thank you, is it posiable to use the heat shrink bags for the cut up pices.

[@SheratonParkFarms]

@@Flowing23 you could but vacuum sealing would be better.

[@katelynwelch6663]

Do you rinse or scrap off any bone powder when using the bandsaw?

[@ronniesnyder3670]

Outrageous prices !!

[@katelynwelch6663]

Where did you get the killing cone station?

[@RonaldColeman-ef2rc]

What do you do with the chicken feet?

[@Damselfly54315]

I like my wing tips ON...wings have a gelatinous yum! I buy mine to cut up myself! THAT'S A PILE OF EQUIPMENT 😮

[@rebeccabobb5702]

what breed chickens are you using?

[@frutodaterra]

Belo corte de frango 🐔 👍👍👍

[@benh3114]

Heck yes, America first!

[@rogermilledge207]

How much do you have into each bird

[@jessicak664]

Hello! Thank you for the video. Maybe i missed it, but do you let the chicken rest for a day or so to get past rigor mortis before putting in freezer?

[@SheratonParkFarms]

No. We go straight to the freezer with them.

[@jessicak664]

@@SheratonParkFarms ok thank you! Just wondering what that does for the toughness, or since buyer would have to defrost, that would be allowing the rigor mortis to pass? 🤔 I butcher rabbits and I sit mine for 24-48 hrs before freezing them, but maybe my method of madness is overkill and they'd be just fine if I just defrosted them before cooking? 🤔🤔🤔 Will be doing chickens, ducks and geese this year for our family.

[@SheratonParkFarms]

@@jessicak664 we have tested it both ways. Straight to the freezer and letting them just cool for a day or so then freezing. We honestly can’t tell any difference. Never had a customer complaint in over 5 years of doing it this way.

[@wparas]

We're did you get your scolder

[@anandrew6641]

Really nice and informative video, thank you!

[@scottyarellano]

How many do you do a year?

[@SheratonParkFarms]

We did about 1700 last year.

[@truebluefarm6317]

Great information! How do you all sharpen your knives?

[@robertvenable368]

Where do you buy your non g.m.o feed? Please reply