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Frequently Asked Questions
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- How many birds per crate?
- How do I protect my birds during transport based on weather?
- Can I bring my chickens loose in a livestock trailer?
- When do I stop feed & water?
- How will I know when to drop off and pick up my birds?
- I’m sharing my birds with someone else, can we sort the order out into our vehicles there?
- Where do I go when I get there?
- What’s the difference between shrink bags, vacuum packaging, and poly bags?
- What are the cutting options?
- Can you freeze my birds?
- What does condemned mean?
- How can I pay?
- What do I need to bring with me when I drop off the birds?
- What if I don’t have a Form 300?
- I have fewer birds than I expected. What do I do?
- Are there crates I can use?
- Do I label the crates I bring in?
How many birds per crate?
Our standard answer is 5 birds per crate, but it will depend on the size of the birds. A good rule of thumb is to make sure that 1/3 of the crate remains empty to avoid over-crowding.
How do I protect my birds during transport based on weather?
The very best rule of thumb is to imagine yourself in your transport vehicle with your birds, wearing a t-shirt and shorts. When it's cold, you need to protect your birds. When it's hot, you need to get the load of birds moving down the road with adequate air flow around and through the group. Again, imagine yourself in any one of your birds' locations wearing your t-shirt and shorts.
Can I bring my chickens loose in a livestock trailer?
Extreme caution is required when hauling chickens loose during hotter summer temperatures. We recommend crating chickens, as this ensures heat distribution and controls piling of birds. 5 chickens per crate is our recommendation. Caution should also be observed if using a livestock trailer as air flow at the floor level is typically low. Our rule of thumb is to consider yourself in the same environment as your birds and provide ventilation or protection as required for comfort.
When do I stop feed & water?
Dropping off the evening before processing: remove access to feed at noon of the day you’re dropping them off.
Dropping off the morning of processing day: remove access to feed 4 hours before it gets dark the night before.
Birds can receive water right up until the time you put them in the crates.
How will I know when to drop off and pick up my birds?
Drop-off: We will contact you about 1-2 weeks before your processing date to confirm:
- the processing date
- the type and number of birds
- what you need to bring with you
- what time you can drop your birds off
Pick-up: Pick-up times will be determined when you drop the birds off. They are not set ahead of time due to the variety of factors in play.
I’m sharing my birds with someone else, can we sort the order out into our vehicles there?
No.
We have a very busy facility, and parking and yard space is at a premium. Please have only one vehicle come to pick up your order.
Where do I go when I get there?
When you drive in the lane, our receiving area is to your right at door #2 at the back of the plant. You will be met there by someone who will review your paperwork and take the birds off your hands.
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What’s the difference between shrink bags, vacuum packaging, and poly bags?
Poly bagging is our standard package for whole birds or bulk parts. It is a food grade bag, 2.5 mil thick. After excess air is removed it is sealed with a tamper-proof metal clip.
Shrink wrap is a premium bag used for whole birds. It is recommended for ½ cut, ¼ cut, 6 piece and 9 piece cuts because it is highly resistant to bone puncture. Shrink packaging virtually eliminates freezer burn due to the process used; excess air is removed from the package, it is sealed with a tamper-proof metal seal, and then a brief plunge into 180 degree water shrinks the package.
Vacuum packaging is used primarily for cuts and parts that are flatter, such as boneless/skinless, giblets, etc. This pouch is placed in a vacuum chamber machine which removes the air from the package before being heat-sealed. Vac-packed parts lay flat in your fridge/freezer, and are highly resistant to freezer burn.
What are the cutting options?
We have a wide variety of cutting options available. You can check them out on our Cutting Options page. Prices can be found on our price list.
Can you freeze my birds?
Yes.
There is an additional cost for this service, details can be found on our price list.
What does condemned mean?
When a bird is condemned by the inspector, it means it could not be processed for food. There are many possible reasons for this, and they would be reflected on the paperwork you receive when you pick up your birds. These are the terms used, and a loose explanation:
| Peritonitis | Abscesses inside the abdomen, occurs mostly in laying hens when yolk from a developing egg or an incompletely shelled or ruptured egg is deposited within the body cavity | |
| Ascites | Fluid inside the bird sometimes called “water belly”, associated with heart failure | |
| Cyanosis | Close to dead before killing; could be from prolonged confinement or cold temperatures, low oxygen (blue), or bad circulation | |
| Neoplasm | Cancerous growth | |
| Abscessed | Pus inside the bird | |
| Airsacculitis | Infected lungs | |
| Arthritis | Infected joints | |
| Cellulites | Scab-like infection under the skin | |
| Dermatitis | Infected skin on the surface | |
| Emaciation | Extremely thin, wasting away | |
| Hepatitis | Liver infection | |
| Icterus | Jaundice (yellow) | |
| Marek’s Disease | Viral chicken disease | |
| Septicaemia | System-wide infection | |
| Valgus Varus | Badly crooked legs, usually indicates other concerns/infections | |
| Inadequate bleeding | Bird not properly bled | |
| Loss of Identity | Internal organs not matching the bird | |
How can I pay?
Payment is due when you pick up your birds. We accept
- Interac Debit
- Visa
- Mastercard
- Cash
- Cheque
What do I need to bring with me when I drop off the birds?
- Completed Live Transport Form
- Processing Instructions
- Form 300
What if I don’t have a Form 300?
Before your processing date, contact Susan Pol at 289-288-4231.
We cannot process your birds without this form.
I have fewer birds than I expected. What do I do?
If you find that you will have significantly* fewer birds to be processed than expected for whatever reason, please give us a call as soon as possible.
*“Significant” is at least 15% of the number you had originally booked. For example, if you booked for 100 birds, and you’ve lost 15 or more of them, contact us immediately.
Are there crates I can use?
We have available a supply of chicken crates for our customers to use. These are available the day before your scheduled processing day for you to pick up.
Do I label the crates I bring in?
Label any and all PERSONALLY OWNED crates that are brought here with your name and address. Do not label crates owned by Schefter Poultry. Personal crates will be washed and stacked in front of building. We are not responsible for missing crates, labels with your name and phone number make for easy identification amongst the stacks.
