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Abstract
Hancock and the surrounding counties in Georgia have a core group of poultry producers that are interested in forming a cooperative for the purpose of sharing the cost of purchasing a mobile processing unit to process their live chickens. The poultry producers feel that there is consumer market base that seeks alternative sources of poultry, small game birds, fish, and small animal meats. In addition, these producers believe there are restaurants, farmers’ markets, and individual consumers seeking high quality products that are locally accessible. Additionally, this demand is limited to already-processed birds. The ability of small farmers to meet this demand depends on ready access to value-added processing opportunities. This report examines the feasibility of operating a mobile processing unit (MPU) by this Hancock County group. These producers have experience in producing live poultry but have no experience in processing these chickens for sale to the general public. The Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development has been asked to perform a feasibility analysis for these Hancock County poultry producers. There is a model processing unit that is owned by the Heifer International, Inc. that this study cost estimates were based. This report is divided into three sections with the first being an overview of market potential for poultry, game birds, aquaculture, and other small livestock for direct consumer marketing. The second section is devoted to a cost analysis of the MPU costs of operation and potential to generate profit.