[Melias farm]

I’m looking at hatching to produce meat chickens. I won’t cull them myself as I’m terrified of doing it wrong.
I’m in East Sussex, is there anywhere that can process about 50 birds at a time please?

I won’t hatch until I can find where can cull and butcher for me
Help great fully recived

[Richmond]

Good luck! I can't help you as am not in Sussex but it would be worth your while approaching your local smallholder society or training group. There may be someone willing to teach you how to despatch and dress a bird. My husband and I are tutors for our local smallholder training group and run these type of courses.
Butchers charge a lot (IMO) for processing birds. Cheaper and better in the long run to learn to do it yourself.
Start with a small number and see how you get on rather than diving in the deep end and rearing 50. 50 chicks look like nothing in the brooder, but they grow very quickly and cost a lot to feed.

[Penninehillbilly]

Maybe find a localish farm shop that sells chicken and ask where they get them done?

[catriona]

If you, or anyone else reading this thread, want to learn to do this yourself, you can come an join one of our courses.....
We'll take you through the process step-by-step, with as much assistance as required.
We can also talk you through the legal requirements if you want to set up to sell to the public.


'Chickens for The Table' - one-day, small group course.

We'll take you through the process step-by-step, with as much assistance as required.
Break for a homecooked lunch and a wander around our smallholding.
Take home your own, beautifully finished, oven ready free range chicken at the end of the day.


We can also talk you through the legal requirements if you want to set up to sell to the public.
Led by 2 vets, fully WATOK qualified, who also run a thriving free range turkey business.


https://www.argaecottage.co.uk/chicken-course