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Did you know the U.S. chicken market was valued at approximately $43.5 billion in 2023? It’s projected to grow to around $77.9 billion by 2032, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.7%. Industrial producers don’t just drive that growth; consumer demand for local, ethically raised, and pasture-based poultry continues to rise.
For farmers, homesteaders, and food entrepreneurs, selling chicken is one of the most accessible and rewarding ways to build a direct-to-consumer business. Whether raising birds for meat, eggs, or both, poultry offers flexibility, steady demand, and strong customer loyalty, especially when your products are marketed locally and sold online.
But it takes more than good feed and healthy birds to run a successful poultry business. Legal compliance, processing logistics, pricing, packaging, and customer fulfillment must be handled properly, and missing just one step can cost you time, money, or sales.
This step-by-step guide explains how to sell chicken legally and profitably in the U.S. and Canada. You’ll learn how to choose the right products, comply with regulations, market effectively, and streamline operations using farm commerce apps like Local Line to manage inventory, subscriptions, customer communication, and online sales.
Before you sell any chicken products, you need to know the legal framework in which you operate. Selling chicken without proper licensing or inspection is illegal in both the U.S. and Canada, and the rules vary widely by region.
In the U.S., the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) governs poultry processing and sales through the Poultry Products Inspection Act (PPIA). However, there are exemptions that allow small producers to process and sell limited quantities of poultry without continuous USDA inspection:
Each state has its own interpretation of these exemptions and may impose further rules on on-farm slaughter, storage, labelling, or sales venues. Check with your state department of agriculture or local health authority before starting.
In Canada, poultry sales fall under the jurisdiction of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). For small producers, provinces may offer quota exemptions or limited-growth programs. For example:
As in the U.S., regulations cover not just processing but also labelling, transportation, storage, and sanitation. Selling chicken outside of legal limits, especially across provincial or state lines, can result in fines or shutdowns.
The types of chicken products you offer can directly impact your profitability, sales volume, and customer base. While many small farms start with whole birds, diversifying your product line can help you serve different preferences and open new sales opportunities.
Terms like “pasture-raised,” “organic,” “antibiotic-free,” or “non-GMO” can also attract premium buyers, but make sure you’re legally allowed to use them. For example:
Avoid misleading claims by confirming what language you’re allowed to use under local labelling laws.
Tip: Increase average order value by offering bundled boxes like “BBQ Chicken Packs” or “Family Freezer Boxes” using a platform that lets you create customized bundles.
Once you’ve decided what to sell, the next step is figuring out where and how to sell it. The channels you choose will shape your pricing, packaging, delivery method, and customer relationship strategy.
Most successful chicken producers don’t rely on just one sales method; they diversify across multiple channels to increase stability, reach, and profit margins.
Tip: Local Line is the best platform for farms to sell across all these channels simultaneously - it includes features to help farmers manage subscriptions, vendor Management, and e-commerce and more with ease.
👉 Simple Roots Maui is dedicated to providing thier community with the highest quality pasture-raised chickens. Over the years, they've rapidly grown their business while maintaining their commitment to regenerative farming practices. Discover how Simple Roots Maui runs a profitable pasture poultry farm using Local Line subscriptions, price by weight, and order management features.
A professional website is one of the most effective tools for growing your chicken business online. It helps you reach new customers, build trust, and manage orders without needing to be personally available 24/7.
Even if you already sell at markets or through word of mouth, an online store creates a central hub where customers can browse products, place orders, and learn more about your farm. It’s especially valuable for managing pre-orders, local delivery routes, and recurring subscription boxes.
Tip: Not sure how to create a website? With Local Line’s Farm Website Builder, you can quickly launch a clean, mobile-friendly online store that connects directly to your product catalogue, inventory, and order management tools, giving you a professional e-commerce experience without needing a web developer.
How you process and manage your chicken inventory directly affects product quality, legal compliance, and customer satisfaction. Whether you're working with a certified facility or handling birds yourself under an exemption, food safety and accurate tracking are essential.
In many regions, you have two main options:
Once processed, keeping your inventory organized is just as important. With Local Line's Farm Inventory Software, you can track product quantities in real time across all your sales channels. This ensures that your website or order forms always reflect what’s actually available, helping you avoid overselling, stockouts, or last-minute substitutions.
Setting the right price is key to making your chicken business profitable and sustainable. If the price is too low, you’ll struggle to cover costs; if the price is too high, you risk losing customers, especially in competitive local markets. The goal is to find the sweet spot where your pricing reflects quality, covers expenses, and supports long-term growth.
Before setting any prices, calculate your actual cost per bird. This includes:
Once you know your break-even point, you can start evaluating where to price each product for profitability (e.g., whole bird, thighs, wings, ground). Make sure to factor in your sales channel; direct-to-consumer sales usually allow for higher margins, while wholesale buyers expect lower pricing in exchange for volume and consistency.
Check what other small farms, butcher shops, and farmers’ market vendors in your area are charging for similar products. Note any differences in production method (e.g., pasture-raised vs. conventional), packaging, and branding that could influence what customers are willing to pay.
With Local Line Price Lists, you can create multiple pricing tiers without maintaining duplicate product entries. For example:
This approach helps you scale your business while maintaining pricing flexibility for each audience. You can also use it to run time-limited promotions or offer loyalty discounts, without disrupting your core pricing structure.
Convenience plays a big role in whether customers return, or even buy in the first place. Today’s buyers expect flexible, reliable ways to receive their food, and offering multiple fulfilment options makes your business more accessible while increasing overall sales potential.
You don’t need to offer everything at once, but having more than one option allows you to serve different customer needs while managing your workload more efficiently.
To keep everything running smoothly behind the scenes, Local Line’s Pick and Pack Lists and Orders and Invoicing tools help automate order preparation. You can generate packing slips and delivery lists sorted by customer, location, or order type, making it easier to stay organized and avoid errors during fulfillment.
Getting paid should be the easiest part of the sale, but without the right systems in place, it can become a bottleneck. Efficient payment handling not only saves you time but also builds customer trust and professionalism.
Today’s buyers expect fast, secure, and flexible payment options—whether they’re ordering online or buying from you at a farmers’ market.
Using Local Line's flexible payment methods, you can centralize all your transactions across sales channels in one place. It allows you to process online checkouts, issue invoices, and track payment status automatically, so you spend less time chasing down unpaid orders and more time focusing on production and fulfilment.
Plus, with everything linked to your customer profiles and order history, managing your financial records becomes much simpler, especially for managing farm taxes and deductions.
Raising high-quality chicken is only part of the equation; customers need to know who you are, what you offer, and why they should buy from you instead of the grocery store. Marketing your farm effectively helps you attract new buyers, stay top of mind with existing customers, and build long-term loyalty.
You don’t need a big budget to get results. With a few consistent tactics and the right tools, you can build a strong, local customer base that supports your business year-round.
Tip: Download our free social media templates for farmers to get a head start with promoting your business
Knowing what’s working and what isn’t can make the difference between a business that struggles and grows purposefully. By regularly reviewing farm metrics like sales data, customer habits, and product performance, you can make smarter decisions about pricing, inventory, marketing, and production planning.
Instead of relying on guesswork, use real numbers to guide your strategy.
With Local Line Farm Reporting & Analytics, all of this data is collected and presented in one place, giving you a clear, organized view of your business performance over time. You’ll be able to spot patterns, respond quickly to trends, and plan confidently for peak demand or seasonal slowdowns.
Once your chicken sales are consistent and your systems are running smoothly, it’s natural to start thinking about growth. But scaling doesn’t just mean raising more birds, it’s about expanding your product offering, improving efficiency, and reaching more customers without overwhelming yourself in the process.
The key to scaling sustainably is to build on what’s already working, automate repetitive tasks, and stay organized as your business evolves.
Selling chicken, from processing and packaging to pricing and fulfilment, requires strong systems. Whether you're new to poultry sales or scaling your operation, Local Line helps simplify every part of the business:
It’s everything you need to turn your poultry operation into a streamlined, profitable business.
Start your free trial at Local Line and make chicken sales the easiest part of your farm.
Yes, especially if you sell directly to consumers, offer value-added products (like cuts or meal boxes), and manage your costs. Many small farms generate steady income by focusing on quality, customer retention, and efficient operations.
To sell chicken legally, you’ll need to comply with local, state/provincial, and federal regulations for processing and labelling. Then, choose your sales channels, such as farm pickup, farmers’ markets, online orders, or subscriptions, and build systems to manage inventory, pricing, and delivery.
Processing must follow USDA (U.S.) or CFIA (Canada) regulations. You can either use a certified processing facility or, where allowed, process birds on-farm under exemption. Cleanliness, temperature control, and accurate labelling are critical for food safety and legal compliance.
Use vacuum-sealed or butcher paper packaging, clearly labelled with the cut, weight, packaging date, and handling instructions. Keep fresh chicken refrigerated (below 4°C/40°F) and freeze anything not sold immediately. Tamper-evident packaging may be required in some areas.
To sell meat online, such as chicken, first you need to set up a simple e-commerce site where customers can browse, order, and pay for products. Include details like pickup/delivery options and subscription availability. Local Line is a farm-friendly option that integrates inventory and fulfillment tools.
Buy day-old chicks or pullets from a trusted hatchery or local breeder. Choose breeds of chicken suited for meat (e.g., Cornish Cross) or dual-purpose (meat and eggs). Prepare proper housing, brooding equipment, feed, and a health management plan before they arrive.
Focus on consistent, authentic communication through social media, email newsletters, and in-person events. Highlight your farm story, quality, and values. Use customer management tools to send targeted updates, promote new products, and encourage repeat orders.
