Harvesting Meat Chickens-Homestead Experience

Join us at Huck and Buck Farm for a hands-on chicken harvesting event. You’ll learn how to process a farm-raised meat chicken from start to finish. This one-day experience teaches ethical harvesting practices, food preparation, and farm-to-table awareness. Best of all, you’ll take home the very chicken you processed—cleaned, chilled, and ready for your freezer or table. A truly unforgettable and empowering way to connect with your food and support local farming.

Info: Welcome to Huck and Buck Farm! This is your time to get settled, sign waivers, grab refreshments, and meet fellow participants. We’ll introduce the farm team, go over the day’s flow, review basic safety, and make sure everyone is comfortable before the hands-on experience begins.

Info: Learn how Huck and Buck Farm began, our mission, and how we’ve grown into a hands-on educational space. We’ll share why sustainable meat processing matters and how small farms like ours are helping others reconnect with food, land, and community.

Info: Before we begin, it’s important to understand the anatomy and behavior of a meat bird. We’ll walk you through breed selection, bird care, feed, and what makes the Cornish Cross ideal for harvesting. Learn how to spot a healthy, ready-for-processing chicken.

Info: We’ll guide you step-by-step through humane and respectful poultry harvesting: collecting the bird, placing it in the K*ll cone, scalding, plucking, and proper evisceration. Each person will work hands-on, at their comfort level, while being supported by staff.

After processing, we’ll show you how to clean, chill, and package your chicken for home use or sale. Learn how to weigh, label, and properly store your bird to meet food safety standards and keep your harvest fresh and usable.

Info: Participants will work together to clean equipment, sanitize tools, and dispose of byproducts responsibly. Learn how to maintain hygiene, reuse materials safely, and reduce waste on a small farm through composting and biosecurity practices.

Info: We’ll cover where to purchase quality poultry processing equipment, reputable hatcheries, and farm partners. Whether you’re a beginner or scaling up, we’ll help connect you with reliable resources to raise and process your own poultry.

Info: Wrap up the day with an open Q&A. Ask anything—from farm operations to chicken tractors to how to start your own backyard setup. This is your chance to leave with clarity, new knowledge, and confidence in your next steps.

Host or Publisher Andrea Haritos 302-354-4271