How many eggs minimum daily for a roadside farm stand?

[3KillerBs]

Interesting. Thank you @rosemarythyme and @wichikmama.
What do you think of this idea: M-F I could sell hot coffee and a pastry for $5 for contractors and farmers heading to work in the morning, and weekends, there will be enough eggs (10-20 dozen) so enough customers will each be able to buy some.

Don't sell food or drink without complying with all the appropriate regulations. You don't want the entire thing shut down.

 

[User635240]

Don't sell food or drink without complying with all the appropriate regulations. You don't want the entire thing shut down.

Thanks for the heads-up. In my state there is something like a cottage industry that is exempt, but only for certain types of foods. I'll research it or call the AG office.

 

[3KillerBs]

Thanks for the heads-up. In my state there is something like a cottage industry that is exempt, but only for certain types of foods. I'll research it or call the AG office.

Every state is different and some localities add rules on top so be careful.

 

[RuffIedFeathers]

Hi all, FYI, I just posted 35 pullets for sale on Craigslist yesterday, and they all sold by this evening, with 4 others inquiring. So the egg shortages are real?

I have been working on the design of a roadside stand or kiosk to sell eggs. I live on fairly busy county road in a rural residential area. County said it is ok. I have 25 laying hens (producing 9 eggs a day now, 21/day during summer), and another 20 pullets should start laying in 1-2 months. This is about the maximum quantity of birds to comfortably fit my barn. Last summer I had trouble selling or even giving away all the eggs that accumulated during the week. However, if I put a roadside stand out, that means there will only be one or two egg crates out in the stand every morning, which is not a lot. Should I even bother with the stand?

Can I ask what breed of pullets you were selling and how much you were selling them for? This past fall I was selling the pullets I didn't have room for, and would get a dozen emails in one day and I was selling mine for $40-70 each. I'm in the SF bay area. They may have been more rare/desirable breeds (faverolles, isbars, barnevelders, etc). I ordered more chicks than I can handle for this spring so I have a better selection to choose from, and plan to sell off the rest like I did last fall.

 

[User635240]

Can I ask what breed of pullets you were selling and how much you were selling them for? This past fall I was selling the pullets I didn't have room for, and would get a dozen emails in one day and I was selling mine for $40-70 each. I'm in the SF bay area. They may have been more rare/desirable breeds (faverolles, isbars, barnevelders, etc). I ordered more chicks than I can handle for this spring so I have a better selection to choose from, and plan to sell off the rest like I did last fall.

My breeds include Swedish Flower, Rhode Island Red, Black French Marans, Barred Rock, Welsummer, and Easter Egger. Am I charging too little? I live in a rural agricultural area in Ohio, so salaries are probably lower than SFO, and people here seem to just want eggs for food, and don't seem too choosy about the breed. Also, my pullets are mixes, not purebred. They all want the 4-month old pullets; and most already have chickens but want more, due to predator losses, or old age, or aggression.
Pardon, just re-read your question: I advertised $10 for 2 month olds, $15 for 3-month olds, and $20 for 4-month olds. All sold out within a day.

 

[3KillerBs]

My breeds include Swedish Flower, Rhode Island Red, Black French Marans, Barred Rock, Welsummer, and Easter Egger. Am I charging too little? I live in a rural agricultural area in Ohio, so salaries are probably lower than SFO, and people here seem to just want eggs for food, and aren't too choose about the breed. Also, my pullets are mixes, not purebred.

Research your local Craigslist market.

Here in central NC, I can sell POL pullets for about $15 each for mixed breeds and $20 each for desirable breeds and colors.

 

[RuffIedFeathers]

My breeds include Swedish Flower, Rhode Island Red, Black French Marans, Barred Rock, Welsummer, and Easter Egger. Am I charging too little? I live in a rural agricultural area in Ohio, so salaries are probably lower than SFO, and people here seem to just want eggs for food, and don't seem too choosy about the breed. Also, my pullets are mixes, not purebred. They all want the 4-month old pullets; and most already have chickens but want more, due to predator losses, or old age, or aggression.
Pardon, just re-read your question: I advertised $10 for 2 month olds, $15 for 3-month olds, and $20 for 4-month olds. All sold out within a day.

I think if they all sold out within a day, then I'd raise your prices. Unless your goal was to have them sell as quickly as possible. Like above, I would also research CL and see what others are selling and for how much. I noticed when I was selling that people really really wanted the colored layers and were willing to pay for it. They were the first to go and the ones with the most inquires.

 

[User635240]

I think if they all sold out within a day, then I'd raise your prices. Unless your goal was to have them sell as quickly as possible. Like above, I would also research CL and see what others are selling and for how much. I noticed when I was selling that people really really wanted the colored layers and were willing to pay for it. They were the first to go and the ones with the most inquires.

I don't understand how Cackly Hatchery sells their started pullets for $115, while Meyer sells for $25?

 

[Percheron chick]

I don't understand how Cackly Hatchery sells their started pullets for $115, while Meyer sells for $25?

Cackle includes shipping in their price. Meyer adds it at the end. Overnight freight on an adult chicken runs close to $100 so they are basically the same price.
I like the idea of selling eggs only certain days. You can offer a sign up sheet so if someone is baking and needs 6 dozen you can meet their request. Over the course of a month or so, you can get a feel for how many eggs you can sell.
Do not sell coffee and baked goods. You are opening a big old can of worms. Cottage industry would be something like honey or jams that are sold in very small quantities but still require proper labeling and need to be produced in a commercial setting. Rules and licensing are more lax but they are still there.
Do you have a green thumb? What about plant starts, flowers or fruits and vegetables? I sell started pullets and enjoy the process. You did well with them. Keep 25 going. You will lose egg buyers so it will be a balancing act. The best part is as the pullets start laying, you keep them to resupply your hens.

 

[Delmer_B]

Just some quick thoughts. You could try selling at a farmers market. Cost for a spot is minimal, so low overhead. Eggs last several weeks without refrigerating, so you would be able to build up enough inventory to not run out. You might get enough regulars that you could continue to sell outside the market.