Looking For A Butcher In Massachusetts

[Padfoot417]

Hey all, I'm just wondering if anyone in Massachusetts has had any experience here....
I'm looking for a butcher near me (Gardner MA) who could take just 2 roosters. I have 2 roosters that need to go, one is about 10 months old and weighs about 8-10 pounds. The other is a year and a half old and weighs about 9-12 pounds. Because I'm not looking to have a bulk amount butchered, I'd like to find somewhere that wouldn't charge me the price of a new car to do 2 birds... This is my first time sending my birds to slaughter, so if possible I'd just like to know it's done as humanely as possible...
The long and short of it is that I have too many roosters. I'm going away in October and my Bird Sitter is afraid of one of them, and I'd planned to butcher the other anyway. I've been trying to find a place to send him since he was 8 months old, I've been told that once they're over a year the meat is tough and it's not worth it. I've had to kill one of my birds before, but it wasn't how I would've liked and we didn't get the meat, I don't want these guys' lives to be for nothing. I've put a lot of hard work into them and I would like to see how fresh chicken from my own home is. I'm willing to drive maybe an hour away, but even that's a stretch. I would pay $50 per bird, I don't know if that's reasonable but I hope it is.
If anyone has any advice or knows of any place, I'd be really grateful for some help!
Thanks,
~Kate

 

[Padfoot417]

does anyone have anything or am I supposed to post this somewhere else...?

 

[keesmom]

I've only heard of one possible processor down in New Bedford. Other than that one I know of none in MA. I searched for a while too. Now I just haul my birds up to Maine to be done. We're up there every other week or so anyway, so it's not out of the way for me.

 

[vnsseed]

This list is from NOFA Mass. May help.
PROCESSING FACILITIES
Adams Farm
775 Bearsden Rd.
Athol, MA.
978-249-9441
EL Blood and Sons
94 West Main St
West Groton, MA 01472
978-448-6669
Valley View Farm
Matt LeClerk
179 Barre Rd
Templeton, MA 01468
978-833-1549
Limited livestock and poultry processing call for more info
DenBesten Farms
Terry DenBesten
8 North St
Bridgewater, MA
508-922-1917
Maurice's Slaughter House
155 Gooseneck Hill Rd
Canterbury, CT
860- 546-9588
Ed Stearns Dressed Meats Inc
137 Southbridge Rd,
Charlton, MA
508- 248-7866

 

[keesmom]

This list is from NOFA Mass. May help.
PROCESSING FACILITIES
Adams Farm
775 Bearsden Rd.
Athol, MA.
978-249-9441
EL Blood and Sons
94 West Main St
West Groton, MA 01472
978-448-6669
Valley View Farm
Matt LeClerk
179 Barre Rd
Templeton, MA 01468
978-833-1549
Limited livestock and poultry processing call for more info
DenBesten Farms
Terry DenBesten
8 North St
Bridgewater, MA
508-922-1917
Maurice's Slaughter House
155 Gooseneck Hill Rd
Canterbury, CT
860- 546-9588
Ed Stearns Dressed Meats Inc
137 Southbridge Rd,
Charlton, MA
508- 248-7866

Thanks Dave! I do know Blood Farm in Groton does NOT do poultry. I have called them to find out. The one in Bridgewater may be the one I thought was in New Bedford. Too far from here either way.

 

[bestponymilo]

This is an older thread, but popped up in a search...

Just an FYI--Stearns in Charlton doesn't do poultry. I called late last year to find out

 

[jetdog]

Blood farm burnt down.

 

[bestponymilo]

I've used Ketonen Clark Farm & Feeds, 199 Glenwood Rd, Rutland, MA 01543(508) 886-2952

And there is also Impoco's Poultry Market in Springfield 413-734-6359.

Blood Farm is being rebuilt, I think they're aiming to reopen this fall.

 

[kwhit]

Hi I've been looking too for a butcher in Eastern Mass and here is what I found:

www.denbestenfarm.com

If I use this processor it will be for 6 laying hens that aren't laying enough to be worth keeping
over the winter. I am only getting 1-3 eggs a day at this point. Lately sometimes 0 eggs.

I just called and they can process my 6 Hens for $5.00 a bird. When I calculate this it will be $11.00.
I can save myself $18.00 per month from now until March 2015 ($108.-$126.) on the feed it will take to keep them alive until Spring.
Then I will buy new chicks in the Spring and start all over, and maybe I'll go with 10 chicks next time.

Much to the objections of my kids (mostly cuz they are grossed out about eating our backyard birds)
I am setting up the time to get them done as I've been told if they get much older than 2 they are too tough
to eat.

I just got them 3/2013 so hopefully we are good to go.

 

[kwhit]

I am such a duh, I meant it will cost $30 to do the six birds.