If you run a restaurant, grocery store, or butcher counter, buying whole carcasses can give you more control over your cuts, your quality, and your costs. But if you're used to ordering boxed meat, it can feel like a big step. This guide walks through what to expect when you buy whole lamb, kid goat, or beef carcasses for your business.
Why Buy Whole Carcasses?
Boxed cuts are convenient, but you pay for that convenience, and you only get the cuts someone else decided to pack. Buying the whole animal gives your business real advantages:
Higher Quality You Can See
With a whole carcass, nothing is hidden in a box. You see the fat cover, the muscling, and the color of the meat before it's ever cut. That makes it easier to hold your menu or your meat case to a consistent standard, and it's why many chefs and butchers prefer to start with the whole animal.
Fresh, Not Frozen for Weeks or Months
Much of the lamb and goat sold in the U.S. is imported from Australia and New Zealand. That meat is often frozen and can spend weeks or even months in transit and storage before it reaches your kitchen or your shelves. Fresh carcasses from American farmers skip that long journey, so you get better texture and flavor, and your customers can taste the difference.
Locally Sourced
Buying from a nearby supplier means shorter supply lines, fewer surprises, and a partner you can actually call. It also gives you a story to tell: more and more diners and shoppers want to know where their meat comes from, and “fresh from American farmers” is a selling point you can put right on your menu or sign.
Better Margins and Less Waste
- You decide how it's cut. Your team breaks it down to fit your menu or your meat case, whether that's chops, roasts, stew meat, or ground.
- You use more of the animal. Bones, trim, and organs can go into stocks, specials, or sell on their own.
- You can offer what competitors can't. Fresh lamb and goat cut in-house is a draw for customers who want it done their way.
Choosing the Right Size
Carcass size affects how much meat you get and how it eats. Here's how BillyDoe sizes its carcasses:
Baby Lamb
- Small: under 32 lb
- Medium: 32–42 lb
- Large: over 42 lb
Kid Goat
- Small: under 32 lb
- Medium: 32–38 lb
- Large: over 38 lb
Beef
Beef comes in one size, typically between 650 and 800 lb hanging weight.
A simple rule of thumb: smaller lambs and goats suit restaurants that roast whole or serve smaller portions, while larger carcasses give grocery stores and butcher counters more meat to cut for the case. Many businesses order a mix. Sheep and nannies are also available on request.
Understanding Hanging Weight Pricing
Whole carcasses are priced per pound of hanging weight, the weight of the carcass after harvesting and before it's cut. Prices follow the livestock market, so they change from week to week. That's why it's best to ask for current pricing before you order, rather than relying on a price you saw last month.
Quality You Should Expect
When you buy whole, quality is everything. Ask any supplier about:
- Inspection: All BillyDoe carcasses are USDA inspected.
- Certification: Our meat is Zabiha halal certified, which matters to many restaurants and grocery shoppers. You can view our certification here.
- Grade: We provide Select 1 and Select 2 grade lambs and goats, so you get well-muscled, consistent carcasses order after order.
- Freshness: Our animals come fresh from American farmers.
What to Know Before Your First Order
- Cooler space: Make sure you have room to hang or store whole carcasses when they arrive.
- Cutting: Carcasses are sold whole, not broken down, so plan for a team member who can cut them or a band saw on site.
- Volume: Think about how many you move per week. A steady weekly order makes planning easier for you and your supplier.
- Minimums: At BillyDoe, the minimum is 5 lamb or goat carcasses (any mix) or 1 whole beef.
Delivery and Ordering
- Next-day delivery: Order by 9 AM, Monday through Friday.
- Local delivery: Within 35 miles of Hoffman Estates, with farther delivery available for larger orders.
- Pickup: Available by advance arrangement.
- Freight: Nationwide on orders of 35 or more lamb or goat carcasses, using your own refrigerated carrier.
- Payment: Net 7 by ACH or credit card (3% card fee).
Ready to Get Started?
For 30 years, BillyDoe has supplied our community with quality meat. Today we supply restaurants, grocery stores, butcher shops, and caterers of every size. Tell us what you need and we'll get back to you with this week's pricing.