Here is the letter I got today about the new, chicken facility..
If anyone knows a small poultry farmer who wants miore info let me know as I just got a phone number..
here is the e-mail:
I also want to take this opportunity to tell you a little about the processor and about what to expect for those of you that haven't been able to try these birds before. We've had lots of questions, so I'm going to try to sum them up below:
· The birds are dressed, frozen, and vacuum-packed whole chickens weighing 7-9 lbs each (roasters). No kidding, they are *big*. And no kidding, they are $5 each. The processor can do about 500 - 700 birds/day, and all of the processing and packaging is done under USDA on-site inspection. The birds are processed and packaged by hand, start to finish. Unlike industrial plants, no chlorine is used in the processing of the birds. No salt is added to the birds, either. They have applied to USDA to be able to
label their birds as "all natural" and "open range."
· These birds are raised by the processor at a rural location a few miles from the plant. The birds are "loose housed" -- the processor receives chicks at one day of age, and raises them in conventional houses at about 60% of the density of the typical industrial operation. Once the chicks have feathered out, the doors to the houses are opened during the day, and the birds are free to range until nightfall, when they are closed up during the night. They are fed a vegetarian ration that is mixed locally, and are not given hormones (illegal to give to poultry) or antibiotics. I got the chance to visit the farm and plant a few weeks ago, and I saw well-cared for, relaxed, and healthy birds.
· This processor is committed to supporting independent Oklahoma poultry farmers. They will process birds with no minimum for $1.50/bird. They will sell day-old chicks to producers for the same
cost that they pay for them. They are also working to be certified to process turkeys. Any producer who wishes to set up a processing time or purchase chicks can call the plant at 918-207-0565.
· This processor is unique in that they are a non-profit foundation. The DARP Foundation is a faith-based drug and alcohol recovery program, and they have built this plant to help support the work of the foundation and to support the recovery process for their participants. For payment at the pickup site, make checks payable to 'DARP Foundation' (cash works, too!).
This all started with an e-mail that Harlan Hentges sent to the Oklahoma Sustainability Network list the first Friday in October, seeking help for a new poultry processing operation that was facing a cash flow crunch. By the following Monday, we had orders for over 1000 birds! Since so many folks didn't get birds the first time around, we decided to do this again. As a reminder, we
haven't had an inspected processor in Oklahoma that would work for small producers in more than a decade. The only processors in our state belong to Tyson or Simmons or another of the 'big boys.' Some Oklahoma farmers take their birds to Arkansas or Texas to be processed, but now, we truly have an opportunity to support an Oklahoma processor and eat some good Oklahoma birds :)
Please submit your orders to Kristin no later than close of business Monday (5 pm), Oct 19th. The original e-mail still has a life of its own, folks are still sharing this information, and orders are coming in at an amazing rate! By next Wednesday, with the two deliveries combined, I believe we will hit our original goal of 4000 birds! This is an amazing achievement, and y'all are truly appreciated for your commitment to local, sustainable agriculture in Oklahoma. Order soon: this may be the last OKC delivery of these birds direct from the processor for
2009.
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