Nutrena Country Feed vs. DuMor

There's more to being able to label your eggs organic than just organic feed, though, Sarah. You may want to check into the crazy regs yourself, but it's not just the feed. I'm with you, that's more than I can afford to pay for feed, no matter how great it is.

Yep you got to go with what is the easiest and most economical for you.And what's available in your area.If i want organic it is 40 mile drive each way.I live in farm country so people around here aren't going to pay $5 for a dozen for organic.

No, I realize I couldn't label our eggs or produce as "organic" and I'm ok with that. I guess I just wanted to see if I could just call them "organic-fed" (which wouldn't be lying) and it would make some of my more...ummm...crunchy/preppy/yuppie neighbors in the next hamlet over want to pay $4/dozen..."because this is SO MUCH cheaper than the ones at Whole Foods!" I really think the market could bear $3.50/$4 with the whole "eat locally" movement that has taken hold in our area.

Eggs here at work (high school teacher) run the gamut--most are $3/dozen from other faculty members, but one lady who uses organic feed charges $5/dozen. I think $4 seems like a good compromise with some catchy advertising and big, multi-colored eggs.

Tractor Supply is literally next to my grocery store and the folks are very nice there, so if I'm not feeding them total garbage, then I'll just continue with that. Chickens look great so far and the eggs we've gotten from the Golden Comets and Leghorns are fantastic! Dark yellow, very tasty. We have land that I *guess* we could plant crops in order to make our own feed...but with three kids in sports, two dogs, and full-time jobs (plus a plethora of side jobs), there just isn't enough time in the day to worry about that.

Our self-serve farm stand has all freshly grown veggies in late July/August/Sept every year and I've never had anyone ask me if our gardens are organic. Which, I know, they're technically not--though we use great farm fertilizer, no pesticides, etc.

From what I've read, I'm perfectly allowed to sell my eggs in front of my house, on my property, correct? Would I need something else to go to our local farmer's market on Saturday mornings at a local school parking lot?

Sarah

(I have gluten-free, GMO-free, soy-free, organic only friends who have already snubbed their noses at my eggs!!! No biggie--plenty of people that have literally asked to be on my son's weekly egg delivery list each Saturday morning! We're bringing back home delivery for our friends in a 5-mile radius!)

matt44644 said:

Yep you got to go with what is the easiest and most economical for you.And what's available in your area.If i want organic it is 40 mile drive each way.I live in farm country so people around here aren't going to pay $5 for a dozen for organic.

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It does matter what your market is, true. When we were trying to sell our free range eggs for $2.50/doz a few years ago, some folks who stopped said it was too much. Needless to say, they can have the cheap grocery store eggs if they want and they did not become my customers. Now, I don't sell eggs other than to a neighbor or two.

sarahandbray said:

No, I realize I couldn't label our eggs or produce as "organic" and I'm ok with that. I guess I just wanted to see if I could just call them "organic-fed" (which wouldn't be lying) and it would make some of my more...ummm...crunchy/preppy/yuppie neighbors in the next hamlet over want to pay $4/dozen..."because this is SO MUCH cheaper than the ones at Whole Foods!" I really think the market could bear $3.50/$4 with the whole "eat locally" movement that has taken hold in our area.

Eggs here at work (high school teacher) run the gamut--most are $3/dozen from other faculty members, but one lady who uses organic feed charges $5/dozen. I think $4 seems like a good compromise with some catchy advertising and big, multi-colored eggs.

Tractor Supply is literally next to my grocery store and the folks are very nice there, so if I'm not feeding them total garbage, then I'll just continue with that. Chickens look great so far and the eggs we've gotten from the Golden Comets and Leghorns are fantastic! Dark yellow, very tasty. We have land that I *guess* we could plant crops in order to make our own feed...but with three kids in sports, two dogs, and full-time jobs (plus a plethora of side jobs), there just isn't enough time in the day to worry about that.

Our self-serve farm stand has all freshly grown veggies in late July/August/Sept every year and I've never had anyone ask me if our gardens are organic. Which, I know, they're technically not--though we use great farm fertilizer, no pesticides, etc.

From what I've read, I'm perfectly allowed to sell my eggs in front of my house, on my property, correct? Would I need something else to go to our local farmer's market on Saturday mornings at a local school parking lot?

Sarah

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I think that would depend on your laws where you live. Here in GA, I would have to get a license to sell my eggs at the local farmer's market, but I think I would be safe selling from my property.

speckledhen said:

It does matter what your market is, true. When we were trying to sell our free range eggs for $2.50/doz a few years ago, some folks who stopped said it was too much. Needless to say, they can have the cheap grocery store eggs if they want and they did not become my customers. ...

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My feelings exactly. I usually sell any extra eggs for $3 but some say I should charge 4 and some of them have given the extra dollar.

Those that can't discern the difference in taste just don't care.

One idea,depending on how many eggs you can sell.Figure out how many eggs your family eats and how many chickens it takes to produce that number. Separate them from the others,feed them the organic,feed the others the conventional feed and sell they eggs from the conventional feed ones.It may help break down your cost to produce organic for your family.

I sell my eggs for $4/dz at the local farmers market here in GA. I generally feed DuMor, though I have been looking at switching to Southern States feed to save a few dollars.

I guess it all depends on who you are trying to market to, demand, and your goals for your flock. Best of luck!

Ive had chickens for over three decades and dumor is purinas cheapest feed. Never even considered buying it. My chickens went on a hunger strike on Nutrena organic. It must be really bad tasting. My other friends that show also had the same result.

Just my two cents