Have your cutting instructions, carriers, and hauling plan ready before you catch the first bird. Processing morning is easier when everyone knows the bird count, arrival time, and who will collect the finished order.

Confirm the flock and appointment

Check these details against your booking:

  • Species and count: Report changes before you leave the farm.
  • Age and size: Tell us about older birds, mixed ages, or unusually large birds.
  • Cutting instructions: Submit them before processing day or at drop-off, including package sizes and any items you want saved. Arrange help with the choices before drop-off day.
  • Arrival: Use the time agreed for your appointment.

If someone else is hauling, give that person the directions and order information. General office hours do not replace the agreed delivery time.

Follow Underground Processing’s feed-removal instruction

Remove feed at 9:00 PM Central the evening before processing. Keep water available until crating, and record the feed-removal time. The existing full-crop charge is $0.75 per bird.

The total time off feed includes time on the farm, catching, transport, and waiting before processing. Do not add a separate full withdrawal period for each stage. Purdue Extension’s broiler guidance explains why the full timeline matters.

Check carriers before loading

Use carriers suited to the birds you are bringing. Check that doors and latches close securely, floors and edges are not damaged, ventilation openings stay clear, and each carrier fits the size of bird. A carrier used for young chickens may not fit finished turkeys.

Prepare the vehicle before catching, and assign someone to record the final count as birds are loaded. Avoid carrying birds by their wings; seek handling guidance for an unfamiliar species. See the Extension poultry transport guidance for additional handling considerations.

Plan pickup separately

Live-bird delivery and finished-product pickup are separate jobs. Confirm who will collect the order, how we should reach them, and how they will keep the meat cold during the trip home.

Collect poultry by the agreed pickup time. Storage charges can start three calendar days after the invoice, but that interval does not replace the pickup time arranged for your order. Have enough refrigerator or freezer space ready, including room for any frames, giblets, or other items you requested.

Review the current poultry service information or contact us if your flock or order details change.