In 2010, the Maryland Department of Agriculture and Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene implemented a training course for on-farm processing of poultry. While this process does allow for retail sale of on-farm processed poultry now, it requires:
Every farm to purchase its own set of processing equipment.
Requires each farmer to develop a composting or treatment system for processing wastes.
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES for EACH MEMBER FARM
Each farm will be required to meet and maintain the following Standard Operating Procedures and maintain a HACCP Plan for Whole Bird Poultry Production, which will be available through CMdPPG
Facilities:
All chicks and broilers will be raised in a clean, stress-free environments with 24/7 access to a clean balance ration and water.
Facilities will be cleaned on a weekly basis with new bedding added as needed.
Facilities will be cleaned and disinfected between sets of broilers.
Rodents will not be allowed in growing areas, feed storage areas, or near live birds.
Mortalities are removed upon discovery and properly disposed or composted.
Source of Chicks:
Chicks will be purchased from reputable companies that participate in the National Poultry Improvement Program
Chicks will have been vaccinated against Marek's disease.
Chicks will be inspected for lice or mites before release into the facilities.
Feed and Water:
Birds will be feed a balanced ration appropriate to their stage of development.
Fresh clean water will be provided and checked regularly.
Medications will be added to water ONLY if absolutely needed. No regular use of antibiotics will be allowed in either the feed or water sources.
Preparations for Processing:
Feed will be withdrawn from the birds the night before processing.
Birds will be caught and loaded into secure plastic crates and transported to processing facility.
Processing:
Farm employee will deliver caged birds to processing facility.
This farm's birds under processing facility's supervision and HACCP plan.
Birds will be chilled to 41° at the facility.
Birds will be labeled at the facility.
Transport Back to Farm:
Birds will be packed in coolers with ice to retain temperature integrity.
Upon arrival back at the farm, birds placed in freezer.
