I thought I should post this for those that live in Ohio, it is the most understandable explaination i have got so far! (and I've tried extension, dept of food safety, county dept of health, anyone I could think of):
My Query:
"Hi! I have been searching for the right contact for this and so far, my county health department has been the most helpful, but I keep hearing that ODA is the highest authority in these matters. I hope to start a very small farm business selling eggs and chickens off farm, and need to know all the legal angles, I have tried reading the ORC but that is just gibberish to me. Could someone tell me what the limits and requirements are for a small poultry farm- I would think I would be aiming eventually for (per year) 150 chickens (sold live and processed at inspected facility at buyers request), 40 laying hens, and 25 turkeys. I think I read that under 500 layers and 1000 birds does not require inspection? Does the 1000 bird limit include day old chicks or started layers? Or is it just intended for birds processed on farm? Is there no limit if you do not process on farm then? Sorry I have lots of questions! Thanks!"
Response:
"Ok, here is the scope. You can sell eggs from YOUR hens at your farm and no license or inspection is required, as long as you have 500 or fewer laying hens. {ORC 3717.22(B)(8)}
You can raise and slaughter 1,000 or few chickens and you can sell the dressed chickens directly to the consumer from your farm and no license or inspection is required. {ORC 32717.22(B)(9)} If you want to raise and slaughter turkeys you are allowed 250 birds. You are allowed to take the birds to a licensed facility for slaughter.
Now the two exemptions I listed above do not work in conjunction with each other, you can do one or the other.
However, if you register with the Ohio Dept. of Agriculture, Division of Food Safety, as a farm market you can do both activities and you will not need a license. You will be inspected by the Division of Food Safety but there is no cost to you.
By reading your email below it appears it would be best if you registered with the Division of Food Safety as farm market. You can do that at: http://www.agri.ohio.gov/public_docs/forms/foodsafety/Food_3800-02pdf
If you have further questions please contact the Division of Food Safety at 614-728-6250.
Terri Gerhardt
Assistant Chief
Division of Food Safety
Ohio Department of Agriculture"
My Query:
"Hi! I have been searching for the right contact for this and so far, my county health department has been the most helpful, but I keep hearing that ODA is the highest authority in these matters. I hope to start a very small farm business selling eggs and chickens off farm, and need to know all the legal angles, I have tried reading the ORC but that is just gibberish to me. Could someone tell me what the limits and requirements are for a small poultry farm- I would think I would be aiming eventually for (per year) 150 chickens (sold live and processed at inspected facility at buyers request), 40 laying hens, and 25 turkeys. I think I read that under 500 layers and 1000 birds does not require inspection? Does the 1000 bird limit include day old chicks or started layers? Or is it just intended for birds processed on farm? Is there no limit if you do not process on farm then? Sorry I have lots of questions! Thanks!"
Response:
"Ok, here is the scope. You can sell eggs from YOUR hens at your farm and no license or inspection is required, as long as you have 500 or fewer laying hens. {ORC 3717.22(B)(8)}
You can raise and slaughter 1,000 or few chickens and you can sell the dressed chickens directly to the consumer from your farm and no license or inspection is required. {ORC 32717.22(B)(9)} If you want to raise and slaughter turkeys you are allowed 250 birds. You are allowed to take the birds to a licensed facility for slaughter.
Now the two exemptions I listed above do not work in conjunction with each other, you can do one or the other.
However, if you register with the Ohio Dept. of Agriculture, Division of Food Safety, as a farm market you can do both activities and you will not need a license. You will be inspected by the Division of Food Safety but there is no cost to you.
By reading your email below it appears it would be best if you registered with the Division of Food Safety as farm market. You can do that at: http://www.agri.ohio.gov/public_docs/forms/foodsafety/Food_3800-02pdf
If you have further questions please contact the Division of Food Safety at 614-728-6250.
Terri Gerhardt
Assistant Chief
Division of Food Safety
Ohio Department of Agriculture"
