The information provided in this website is our interpretation of current state a county laws. If there is a conflict between what is written and what is contained in law, the applicable law prevails.
If you have any questions about the information presented here or general questions about raising poultry in Mason County, please contact:
Mason Conservation District
450 W Business Park Rd
Shelton, Wa 98584
(360) 427-9436
Growing consumer demand for locally grown, humanely-raised, organic and/or pastured meat creates new opportunities for small-scale poultry producers. Careful planning and a good understanding of the regulations surrounding the processing, handling, and marketing of poultry meat is essential. With the proper license or permit, a producer can sell his or her poultry meat to retail outlets such as restaurants, grocery stores, and farmers markets, or straight from the farm.
POULTRY PROCESSING EQUIPMENT LENDING PROGRAM
The Mason County Small Farms Program operates a Poultry Processing Equipment Lending Program (PPELP). You can rent a scalder, plucker, and kill cones to process your own birds. Whether you are processing birds for your own consumption or for commercial sale, this equipment is available to producers in Mason and surrounding counties.
For more information about the program see Poultry Processing Equipment Lending information Packet or contact the Mason Conservation District at (360) 427-9436 Ext. 113.
Here is a list of other processing equipment lending programs:
Thurston County & Surrounding Counties
Thurston Conservation District: Tumwater, WA
(360) 754-3588
tcd@thurstoncd.com | www.thurstoncd.com
Island, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish, & Whatcom Counties
Northwest Agriculture Business Center | Mt. Vernon, WA
(360) 336-3727 or (888) 707-2021
info@agbizcenter.org | www.agbizcenter.org
Whatcom County
Whatcom Pastured Poultry Group | Bellingham, WA
(360) 384-4821
maczuga@clearwire.net
Benton County & Surrounding Counties
CG Ranch | Benton City, WA
(509) 723-1621
russstaska@netscape.net
Pierce County & Surrounding Counties
Pierce Conservation District | Puyallup, WA
(253) 845-9770 x104 or x 112
www.piercecd.org
Kitsap County
Kitsap Poultry Growers Cooperative | Silverdale , WA
You must be a member of the cooperative to use the equipment
rental@kitsappoultry.com | www.kitsappoultry.com/equipment-rental/
POULTRY PROCESSING REGULATIONS IN WASHINGTON STATE
Poultry processing in the United States is regulated by the Federal Poultry Products Inspection Act. This includes chicken, geese, duck, turkey and other domesticated birds raised for meat.
In Washington State, there are currently two ways that small-scale poultry producers may be exempted from this Act. One is the WSDA Special Poultry Permit and the other is by getting a WSDA Food Processors License.
FACT SHEET: Washington State Poultry Processing Regulations, this publication will help you select and obtaining the proper licenses and permits to slaughter and sell your own poultry.
EGGS
Eggs are a popular item to direct market and are a relatively easy enterprise to begin. Flocks under 3,000 hens are USDA grade exempt and fall under state law. Washington egg sales are specified in the “Washington wholesome eggs and egg products act,” RCW 69.25. An “egg” refers to the shell egg of chickens, turkeys, ducks,geese, guinea fowl and any other species of poultry.
For information about regulations for selling eggs in Washington State, see WSDA Small Farm & Direct Marketing Handbook.
POULTRY RESOURCES
American Pastured Poultry Producers Association
Featherman Video Demos
National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service
Niche Meat Processors Assistance Network
Sustainable Poultry
WSDA Food Safety Program
WSDA Organic Food Program
Washington State University Food Systems
Washington State University Organic Farming Systems & Nutrient Management, Pastured Poultry
WSDA Small Farm & Direct Marketing Handbook