The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: Bodger on April 26, 2013, 09:37:42 am
-
Turkeys? I didn't know whether this thread should be in this section or 'Food Processing'
If things go to plan, in five days time, I should have some turkeys hatching in my incubator. As insurance, I also have another two sittings of eggs in the pipeline. Now here's a question that I really don't know the answer to. What do I have to do to be legally allowed to sell oven ready turkeys to the public this Christmas? I'm sure that there's a minefield of regulations out there, thats probably going to be insurmountable for me. Help on this one please.
I've killed and dressed ( or should that be undressed?) quite a few turkeys in my time, but this year I was hoping to be a bit more open about things when it came to selling them.
-
Hi,as long as you have then slaughtered and dressed at a licensed establishment you shouldn't have to many problems.Unfortunately there aren't many places that will do this.
The minimum you would require would be,a slaughterer's license,a health and hygiene certificate.An area to carry out the slaughtering,bleeding and plucking of the birds.A separate area to dress the birds with stainless steel tables,sink etc.You will also need a cold store to place the birds with a temperature below 4c.Your premises will also need to be inspected,and certified.
I have only outlined some of the basics here as this is something I have been looking into myself.
Graham.
-
Gordon Bennet! Thats put an end to that then!
-
Hi,your best bet is to get some one to do the processing for you that them takes away most of the hurdles.
Graham.
-
I've just recieved some information that if you do under 2000 birds per annum then you don't need to comply with the above. I shall look into this further. and let you know what I find. This has come via another party but from the EVO
-
we sell live with no problem you could do that .But as graham as said theres a lot of work i did do 50 turkeys and 100 geese .We have a plucking party and its all done in 2 days .I'm not doing eney this time cost and hard work.
-
Meat hygiene regulations
Steve Hardie
tel: 01224 285145
email: [email protected]
Karen Robertson
tel: 01224 288362
email: [email protected]
Milk, dairy and eggs
Stewart Herd
tel: 01224 285154
email: [email protected]
-
as over the gate says its to do with numbers ,, i called steve hardie a few months back,, very helpfull
-
So what did he have to say when you spoke with him.
Graham.
-
it wasnt about turkeys ,, it was about an idea i had with guinea fowl,,but desided against it .. might get some turkeys tho,, if i can find a few chciks
-
I've just been on the phone to my own EVO and I'll be in the clear. There's whats know as 'Seasonal Slaughter Exemption' He's sending me the guide lines.
-
My turkey eggs have been in the incubator for 25 days now and this morning, although there wasn't a sign of any chipping, I could definately hear some cheeping. :fc:
-
ohhh nice ,, piccys when they hatch
-
You mean if they hatch :fc: They are due out on Wednesday.
-
Hi,how many eggs have you got in the incy and what type are they.
-
I started out with 18 but after candling, this went down to 14. The dad looked like a Norfolk Black and the mums were described as being Cambridge Blues. ??? They looked like Bronzes but with a slight slate blue sheen on them.
Turkey update. Two freshly hatched chicks in the incubator this morning.
-
oh nice :excited:
-
Five now.
-
:excited:,, my vorwerk eggs are hatching tooo :excited:
-
Nine chicks so far with one more egg chipping.
(http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb334/kcooper2011/farmyard2197.jpg) (http://s1200.photobucket.com/user/kcooper2011/media/farmyard2197.jpg.html)
(http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb334/kcooper2011/farmyard2199.jpg) (http://s1200.photobucket.com/user/kcooper2011/media/farmyard2199.jpg.html)
-
fantastic new life
-
Hi,Loverly looking chicks.I don't know if its just me but I always find turkeys hatch so nicely no getting stuck in the egg like chickens do they seem far stronger.
Graham
-
We are hatching turkeys also at the moment.
That seems to be the easy part, rearing for us is the hard part, they never seem to naturally want to eat and drink like chicks or ducklings.
I try dipping their heads in turkey crumb and water a few times a day and scatter crumb and mashed boiled egg on the floor of the cage but I still lose some.
Does anyone have any other tips for success.
-
This is what i was told. Put chick crumbs on to white sheets of paper from your printer. When the chicks walk on the paper, then the crumbs move and get their attention. The other thing you can do, is to put a couple of chicken chicks in with them until they get the idea.
-
Thanks for that Over the Gate, really seems to be working.
I do have a little duckling with them as well which I hope will help
-
Hi,yes the sheet of paper is a very good tip,I have 3 out so far have just tried them on a sheet of paper and they have gone for it straight away.
Thanks Graham.