311615 - Poultry Processing

When it comes to the food manufacturing sector, NAICS Code 311615 plays a crucial role in ensuring poultry products reach consumers safely and efficiently. Known as Poultry Processing, this industry classification covers the essential processes involved in slaughtering and preparing poultry for sale. Whether you are a business owner, supplier, or government contractor, understanding this NAICS code is vital for compliance, marketing, and industry insights.

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What is NAICS Code 311615?

NAICS Code 311615 covers establishments primarily engaged in slaughtering poultry and processing poultry products such as chicken, turkey, ducks, geese, rabbits, and small game. This involves tasks like eviscerating, cutting, packaging, and preparing fresh, frozen, canned, or cooked poultry products for distribution to retailers, food service providers, and other customers.

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Sector: Food Manufacturing

NAICS 311615 falls under the broader Food Manufacturing sector. This sector handles the transformation of raw ingredients into food products for human consumption. Poultry processing is a key subset since poultry is one of the most widely consumed sources of protein globally.

Typical Business Activities Include:

• Operating poultry slaughterhouses
• Managing poultry meat processing plants
• Producing and packaging fresh or frozen chicken products
• Manufacturing prepared poultry items such as hot dogs, hams, and luncheon meats
• Processing small game and rabbits alongside poultry

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Size Standards for NAICS 311615

The size standard for eligibility in government contracting under NAICS code 311615 is typically:

• 1,250 employees

This means businesses with 1,250 or fewer employees are considered small and may qualify for certain small business programs and federal contracts.

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Examples of Businesses Under NAICS Code 311615

• Poultry slaughter and dressing plants processing chickens and turkeys
• Companies manufacturing packaged and frozen poultry products for retail sale
• Facilities producing cooked or canned poultry meat products like poultry hams and hot dogs
• Operators of processing plants handling ducks, geese, rabbits, and small game

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NAICS Code 311615 - Poultry Processing Details Table

Code Detail Description
Canning poultry (except baby and pet food)
Chickens, processing, fresh, frozen, canned, or cooked (except baby and pet food)
Chickens, slaughtering and dressing
Dressing small game
Ducks, processing, fresh, frozen, canned, or cooked
Ducks, slaughtering and dressing
Geese, processing, fresh, frozen, canned, or cooked
Geese, slaughtering and dressing
Hams, poultry, manufacturing
Hot dogs, poultry, manufacturing
Luncheon meat, poultry, manufacturing
Meat canning, poultry (except baby and pet food), manufacturing
Meat products (e.g., hot dogs, luncheon meats, sausages) made from a combination of poultry and other meats
Poultry (canned, cooked, fresh, frozen) manufacturing
Poultry (canned, cooked, fresh, frozen) processing
Poultry canning (except baby and pet food)
Poultry slaughtering, dressing, and packing
Processed poultry manufacturing
Rabbits processing (i.e., canned, cooked, fresh, frozen)
Rabbits slaughtering and dressing
Small game, processing, fresh, frozen, canned or cooked
Small game, slaughtering, dressing and packing
Turkeys, processing, fresh, frozen, canned, or cooked
Turkeys, slaughtering and dressing

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What types of poultry are covered under NAICS 311615?

NAICS 311615 includes chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, rabbits, and small game birds, all of which are slaughtered, processed, and packaged for commercial sale.

Is baby or pet food poultry processing included?

No, processing poultry specifically for baby or pet food is excluded from this NAICS code.

What is the primary sector for NAICS 311615?

This code belongs to the Food Manufacturing sector, focusing on poultry-related products.

How many employees qualify a business as small under this NAICS code?

Businesses with up to 1,250 employees are considered small for the purposes of federal contracting under NAICS 311615.

Can NAICS 311615 businesses produce processed meat products with mixtures of poultry and other meats?

Yes, products such as hot dogs, luncheon meats, and sausages that combine poultry with other meats fall under this code.

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Conclusion

NAICS Code 311615 is essential for organizations engaged in poultry slaughtering and processing. Whether you operate a poultry slaughterhouse, a processing plant, or manufacture prepared poultry products, this NAICS classification defines your industry for regulatory, contracting, and business development purposes. Understanding the scope and size standards of this code helps businesses position themselves effectively in the competitive food manufacturing market.

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Keywords: NAICS Code 311615, Poultry Processing, Food Manufacturing, Poultry Slaughterhouse, Poultry Meat Processing, Packaged Chicken Products, Federal Contracting, Small Business Size Standard, Processed Poultry, Poultry Products