All of you egg sellers

[anthonyjames]

So I have added to my current laying flock big time for me. I went from 100 hens to 500 hens. As I have had a demand but I am also trying to sell to a few local restaurants. My question is do any of you guys out there sell to your local markets and restaurants?

I know my current model and how much I can make. But I don't want to over price say 60 dzn a week to a local market or restaurant. Some of the places I have been bidding on are saying I am coming in to high at $2.20 dzn for 30 dzn or more a week. I am finding that hard to believe.

I asked for a quote from a local place here that sells eggs. Well local at in 70 miles away and they are just selling cage free eggs at $1.90 dzn. They have 2500 hens in a building giving them 2 sqft per bird. I am struggling to see how they are making money at $1.90 dzn looking at the price of feed, purchasing containers, flats and paying employees. Plus, they have a huge automated system for collecting and cleaning eggs.

My birds have 5 sqft in the winter and are free to leave the building spring/fall in rotational wagon wheel I have set up around the building so that they don't hit same place for at least a month.

Any advice or thoughts from anyone out there?

 

[Dead Rabbit]

buying feed cheaper by the ton??

 

[Fred's Hens]

You may be close to Mac in Wisco. A regular contributor here. You might want to pm Mac and start up a dialog.


Mac has 2500 layers in Wisconsin. I believe Mac sells through an egg co-op. Here's a link to his BYC page:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=2328-wisconsin-layer-barn

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I don't know how your birds are raised but if they're on pasture you could try specialty, gourmet type places. They'll pay much more for the taste, the ability to market the quality of the eggs and, with that many birds, the reliable supply chain. Larger chain restaurants and small low cost restaurants don't have an interest in that.
I was getting $3 doz from a restaurant here for a while. (That's my retail price.) They gave up on that price but I was having trouble filling other orders anyway so it was OK. They did like the egg quality though. They still get a dozen or two once in a while if they run short the day before their shipment.

I have a picture of my birds free ranging in lush pasture on the egg carton. Every little bit helps.

Buying feed by the pallet or bulk as previously stated is a good idea too.

 

[anthonyjames]

Thanks I will try and pick Mac's mind for some info.

And I can't get my feed any cheaper from my mill then what I already get it at. I purchase about 4 tons a month from my mill so I get a great deal.. A ton of layer mash runs me about $210 - $250 depending on the price of corn and soy.

 

[skycladfaerielady]

I thought about offering eggs to the local store, but, once I put my sign out in the yard, I don't have any left! I sell out every day!

 

[rancher hicks]

Quote:
Some folks don't know the difference between "cage free" and "free range" and "pasture fed". I keep abreast of what is going on in the industry and give literature out to my customers. They learn the difference between "commercial" poultry keeping techniques and non- commercial.

Right now I'm reading a "Poultry Health and Management" book. I would suggest anyone hoping to get into the business to read it first. I also recommend having a marketing strategy. You have to "sell" people on your eggs. Educate them as to why yours are healthier eggs. What sets your eggs apart from the competition? Most people don't know squat about the terms thrown about these days. You need to educate them. However sales takes the right personality. You also have to have the money skills. Good record keeping is important.

I have a friend who just got rid of all his birds. He was losing money. 10 eggs from 100 birds. I recommend doing things in thirds. 1/3 coming up , 1/3 new layers and 1/3 old layers on the way out. Don't keep birds over 2yrs. Even hybrids drop off then. But I haven't finished the book yet so that may change.

I wish you success,

Rancher

 

[rarely bored]

Quote:
Like the idea of thirds... Thanks! Bet it would work great in a small flock too.