Sophie Bennett
Georgia has a thriving poultry industry, with the state ranking first in the production of broilers and second in chicken eggs in 2012. The industry is concentrated in north Georgia, particularly in Franklin County and neighbouring counties, but it spans nearly the entire state. Georgia's poultry industry is highly mechanized, with companies combining all phases of the business, from raw materials to distribution, within a single company. The state is home to major poultry processors such as Gold Kist, Fieldale Farms, Claxton, Mar-Jac, and Cagle's, and also hosts operations for companies based elsewhere, such as Tyson and Con-Agra. In addition to large-scale operations, Georgia also has smaller chicken hatcheries and farms, such as Bob's Biddies LLC just outside Ray City, and Blackberry Creek Mini Farm in Augusta, which hatch and sell chicks.
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What You'll Learn
Georgia's poultry industry
The Georgia poultry industry is worth an estimated $28 billion annually to the state's economy. Major poultry processors based in Georgia include Gold Kist, Fieldale Farms, Claxton, Mar-Jac, and Cagle's. These vertically integrated companies combine all the phases of the business—raw materials, processing, and distribution—within a single company. Other poultry companies that operate in Georgia include Tyson, Con-Agra, and Continental Grain.
The industry has had to adapt to changing consumer preferences. In 1965, most chickens were sold whole, while fewer than 30% were sold as cut-up parts or further processed. Today, only about 10% of broilers are sold whole, with 40% sold cut-up and 50% sold as further processed products such as chicken nuggets and wings.
The Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) regulates and monitors the sale and exhibition of poultry, ensuring that poultry disposal pits are environmentally safe. County agents guided by Extension poultry scientists provide information to county officials on modern poultry production, water usage, by-product management, and emissions and air quality.
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Chicken production in Georgia
Georgia has a highly mechanized poultry industry that markets chicken and egg products globally. In 2012, Georgia produced 29 million pounds of chicken and 11.8 million eggs in a single day. The industry employs over 88,000 people and generates more than $4.3 billion in farm gate value, with an overall annual economic impact of approximately $28 billion.
The poultry industry in Georgia has its roots in Hall County, where the number of farms raising chickens rose from 57 to 1,044 between 1939 and 1950. After World War II, poultry production soared in the 1970s and 1980s as Americans' dietary preferences shifted from red meat to chicken. By 1995, Georgia was processing over 5 billion pounds of chicken annually. In 1998, the state became the top broiler-producing state in the country, maintaining this rank in 2012 while also being second in chicken egg production.
The top-producing county in Georgia is Franklin County, followed by Banks, Habersham, Hall, Jackson, and Madison counties, which collectively produce more than a quarter of the state's broilers. Processing plants, feed mills, and hatcheries are prevalent in north Georgia, with about three-quarters of Georgia counties commercially producing chicken. The industry is expanding southward, where land is cheaper and more abundant, and improved cooling technology can mitigate the hot summers.
Major poultry processors based in Georgia include Gold Kist, Fieldale Farms, Claxton, Mar-Jac, and Cagle's. These vertically integrated companies manage all aspects of the business, from raw materials to distribution. Other poultry companies operating in Georgia, despite being based elsewhere, include Tyson, Con-Agra, and Continental Grain.
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Processing plants in Georgia
Georgia is home to a vibrant poultry industry, with several processing plants operating within the state. One of these is Atlanta Poultry Processing, an independent USDA-inspected facility located in Loganville, Georgia. They offer poultry processing services for both chicken and turkey, and their mission is to promote the viability of the pastured poultry industry in the Southeast.
Another prominent company in Georgia's poultry processing sector is Wayne Farms. They offer a diverse range of poultry products, including boneless chicken breasts, chicken wings, and chicken drumsticks. Fieldale Farms is also a significant player, being one of the largest independent poultry producers worldwide, specializing in high-quality chicken production.
DeLong's is another key company in Georgia's poultry processing industry, providing equipment and machinery for poultry and gizzard processing. They offer customizable systems and replacement parts for maintenance, upgrades, and rebuilding of poultry processing machinery.
Georgia is also home to Claxton Poultry, a family-owned business that has been providing premium-quality, all-natural chicken for over 50 years. With an extensive product line and exceptional service, they have become one of the largest egg-to-market companies in the United States.
Revere Meat Co. is a Georgia-based, full-service specialty meat processing and distribution company, offering a wide range of high-quality protein products with a focus on transparency and accountability.
D.L. Lee & Sons is another notable Georgia-based company with a long tradition of producing smoked meats and premium sausages since 1930. They utilize a state-of-the-art facility and locally sourced ingredients to create a range of products, including bacon, ham, sausages, and hot dogs.
The state also has a labor union, UFCW1996, based in Suwanee, Georgia, representing workers in various industries, including meat packing and processing, poultry processing, and food service.
While there are processing plants in Georgia, it's important to note that the poultry industry in the US is largely dominated by large brands that contract with independent farmers, which has led to a decrease in the number of independent processors and USDA-inspected plants.
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Regulations for poultry products
Georgia is one of the top poultry-producing states in the US, and the industry is complex, ever-changing, and highly technical. As such, there are many regulations in place to ensure poultry products are safe for consumption.
The Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) regulates and monitors the sale and exhibition of poultry, and the GDA inspects poultry processing facilities to ensure compliance with state regulations. The GDA also ensures that poultry disposal pits are environmentally safe and do not contaminate groundwater or cause other environmental problems.
There are different requirements depending on the scale of the operation. Farmers who process less than 1,000 birds per year can process their birds on-site if they meet the Small Poultry/Pasture Poultry Guidelines. They can also sell to farmers' markets with a mobile meat license. Those who process between 1,000 and 20,000 birds must take them to federally inspected poultry facilities, although there are currently none in Georgia, so farmers can transport their birds across state lines. Operations that process more than 20,000 birds per year are classed as large-scale and must work with an 'integrator' company.
All poultry producers must register their mortality disposal location. They must notify the Compliance Section of GDA at least 48 hours before slaughter, and keep detailed records, including slaughter dates, numbers, and temperature control logs.
There are strict sanitary requirements for processing facilities, including handwashing facilities with hot and cold water, soap, and paper towels. All food and non-food contact surfaces must be cleaned and sanitized to prevent insanitary conditions and adulteration of the product. Pest control measures must also be in place to prevent the harborage and breeding of pests, and pest control substances must be safe and effective.
Special labeling statements and claims, such as "raising claims" and "breed claims," must be approved by the GDA Program Manager.
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Small poultry farms in Georgia
The poultry industry in Georgia is a large-scale, highly mechanized production complex, with major poultry processors such as Gold Kist, Fieldale Farms, Claxton, Mar-Jac, and Cagle's. However, there are also small poultry farms in the state that operate independently or as family-run businesses. These small farms focus on sustainable and ethical practices, raising poultry without the use of hormones, GMOs, or soy.
One example of a small poultry farm in Georgia is Schmoe Farm, a family-operated farm on the Georgia-Florida line. They practice humane and sustainable farming, raising pastured poultry, eggs, and forested pork. Schmoe Farm delivers locally and ships regionally, offering their products in their online store.
Hendricks Farm & Hatchery LLC is another small poultry farm in Georgia that has won awards for its practices and products. They raise their livestock with non-GMO, soy-free, corn-free, and medication-free feed, allowing their chickens to live "their best chicken life." Their customers rave about the flavor and freshness of their meat and eggs, claiming it to be the ""best chicken" they've ever had.
The GDA's Livestock & Poultry program plays a crucial role in regulating the sale and exhibition of poultry, ensuring environmentally safe practices, and addressing concerns such as avian influenza and poultry mortality disposal to prevent groundwater contamination. Small poultry farms in Georgia contribute to the state's diverse agriculture landscape, offering high-quality, nutrient-dense products while prioritizing sustainable and ethical practices.
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Frequently asked questions
The poultry industry in Georgia is a highly mechanized production complex that markets chicken and egg products worldwide. It is a significant economic contributor, with an estimated statewide impact of $28 billion annually. The industry has faced criticism for its environmental impact and "contract farming" system.
Notable poultry companies based in Georgia include Gold Kist, Fieldale Farms, Claxton, Mar-Jac, and Cagle's. Other major poultry companies operating in the state include Tyson, Con-Agra, and Continental Grain.
Yes, there are several smaller poultry producers in Georgia that focus on sustainable and natural practices. Examples include Hendricks Farm & Hatchery LLC, Bob's Biddies LLC Chicken Hatchery, and Blackberry Creek Mini Farm.
Small poultry producers in Georgia must adhere to specific guidelines, including pest management, facility construction, and sanitation standards. They are also required to have hand-washing facilities and separate areas for processing and storage to prevent product adulteration.
