You may be interested in processing your backyard poultry. These resources will help you process safely and in compliance with applicable regulations and laws.
NC State Extension resources
Videos from NC State Extension
Processing (from the Pastured Poultry series) (41:54)
This processing webinar, part of the Pastured Poultry Webinar Series from NC Choices, featuring ASA Margaret Ross, is a useful introduction to small-scale poultry processing.
How to Freeze Chicken (1:06)
Cutting Up & Frying a Whole Chicken (3:00)
Other NC State Extension content
NC Choices
NC Choices, "an initiative of the Center for Environmental Farming Systems in collaboration with N.C. Cooperative Extension" has a number of pages with processing resources.- NC Poultry Processing Resources "This page is intended as a one-stop shop for questions about poultry processing and the special exemptions available in North Carolina."
- Getting Started & FAQs Includes video overviews of some resources.
- The Basics of Meat Processing
- Mobile Processing Equipment and Units "Mobile processing units and/or processing equipment are traditionally owned or rented by an approved poultry exempt operator. NC Choices maintains a list of mobile processing units as well as MPU equipment for rent."
NC State Extension Factsheets
- Explaining the North Carolina Egg Law for Producers With Small Flocks
- How to Sell Shell Eggs Into Grocery Stores Through Direct Store Delivery
- Designing a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) Plan for Shell Eggs
Other resources
Franny's Farm
Turkey Processing with Franny & Meagan (31:01)
This turkey processing video was produced by Fanny's Farm in collaboration with Meagan Roberts of Western Piedmont Community College in Morganton, NC.
NCDA&CS
Poultry processing in North Carolina is regulated by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (NCDA&CS).Resources from the Meat & Poultry Inspection Division may be helpful.- How to Obtain State Inspection
- Laws, Regulations and Information Packets
- Marketing: Poultry Grading and Shell Egg Grading
ATTRA Sustainable Agriculture
Small-Scale Poultry Processing
This illustrated article covers all stages of processing.
This resource can be viewed online, downloaded for free, or ordered in print for $3.00.
[from ATTRA] ATTRA is a program of the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT). The program is funded through a cooperative agreement with the United States Department of Agriculture's Rural Business-Cooperative Service. Visit the NCAT website for more information on our other sustainable agriculture and energy projects.
If you have questions about processing your poultry, contact an Area Specialized Agent for poultry or your county's livestock agent.
