Meyer Moment: Urban Meat Birds

Hey everyone! Welcome back to The Coop with Meyer Hatchery - where we talk all things poultry in hopes of inspiring crazy chicken keepers and educating future flock owners. We’re glad to have you tuning in for this brief midweek as we provide a Meyer Moment to cover relevant happenings. 

Let’s take a Meyer Moment to talk about raising meat birds in an urban setting. Many Meyer Hatchery customers raise their birds on a small scale, usually starting with egg layer breeds. But meat birds can also be raised on a small scale! 

As you determine if raising meat birds in your backyard is possible, always check local city and town laws in regards to keeping animals. Most city laws in regards to animals have to do with noise, and the good news is that meat birds are relatively quiet and will be ready for processing before they reach crowing age. 

Raising meat birds is a wonderful way to grow and supply your own food, and the time commitment is minimal as broiler breeds are grown within 6-11 weeks. This also means that permanent structures aren’t always necessary. Chicken tractors are a popular option and can be purchased or constructed with repurposed materials and designed to fit your yard size.

Before you order any meat bird chicks, have a plan for processing in place. Processing on a small scale is possible but equipment can be cumbersome to store. 

A local farmer or neighboring homesteader may be willing to loan equipment or even mentor you through the process. Your local county extension office is an invaluable resource with processing advice and may even have equipment that can be borrowed. 

There is a learning curve with processing and Meyer Hatchery has many resources to aid you, including books on butchering. If you lack the time, knowledge, or desire to butcher your own birds, outsourcing is possible. 

Depending on your area, you may be able to locate a chicken processor that operates a USDA-inspected facility - but ensure your processing appointment is scheduled before you place your chick order.

Oftentimes poultry processors can be hard to find, and book quickly! Smaller orders usually have a fee at commercial operations, but you can be sure the birds are processed to your liking. 

Raising meat birds in urban areas is not much different than raising them in rural areas, the only difference is scale. With a little planning in place you too can raise broilers or rangers and take satisfaction in having raised your own food. There is truly nothing like the taste of homegrown chicken, even if home is a small backyard. 

We hope you enjoyed this Meyer Moment and consider raising your own meat birds in an urban setting. 

Enjoy the rest of your week and as always, thank you for listening to The Coop!