Is there still room in the EGG Industry to get involved?

[yanks26]

I want to start an egg production business and eventually (hopefully) expand and get larger. My only question is: Is there still room to get in with the big guys?

I can easily sell locally to restaurants and grocery stores because I know them very well but is it possible to get bigger than that?

There is always the need for eggs right? And more is needed as the population grows.

 

[Marion]

I think that without getting involved in the whole nasty battery cage type thing that you would not be able to compete with the big industries... it is a shame really. I do think that people would prefer better eggs and all but most really don't know anything but the commercially produced kinds. Good luck though, maybe you can make a positive change in the egg industry?

 

[yanks26]

Well I know proposition 2 is going to possibly change all of California's poultry farms. They say within 3 years cages will not longer be allowed in California.

http://www.wattpoultry.com/PoultryInternational/Article.aspx?id=30395

That article explains it. Hopefully all productions will be forced to go without cages and will thusly allow newcomers like me to enter the industry. All with a bit of luck

.

Globally, cages are being reduced and more and more countries are buckling down on it. Let's pray cages are illegal soon and that will open up more job opportunities for newbies. Industries are no fun when there's no room for new generations to join

.

 

[Mahonri]

So if cages aren't allowed in California that means AZ, NV and OR will be great places to set up egg businesses, right?

 

[FrenchHen]

Farmer's Markets, local health food stores, and other alternative food outlets are good places to start. Folks here pay more for "good" eggs.

 

[yanks26]

Yes, but the point of the article states that eventually most areas, if not all, in the United States will be banning cages. So even if 3 years from now cages are out-ruled in California, AZ, NV, and OR will not be safe places for cages either.

 

[MissPrissy]

Don't count your chickens before the eggs hatch.

What happens in Cali in the next 3 years may or may not impact other states but hedging a bet to start a buisness like egg production is a huge prediction with a giant false sense of security.

To sell eggs other than a small onsite farm egg business, meaning to sell them to businesses and other consumer outlets you need to check with your state department of agriculture.

You may be required to close your flocks, have testing done beyond NPIP and need other USDA requisites met, not to mention liability insurance, egg inspections, health department inspections, etc.

 

[Turtle]

Quote:
I am a freight broker and my biggest customer is a big CA egg producer. You would not believe the amount of egg loads we haul from OH,IN,IA,MO to CA,AZ and OR. This week we have a load stopping in NV to drop eggs from IA off. The egg loads have slowed down due to the economy. We use to do 15-20 loads a week now its 4-10. If it were me and I had that kind of connection to the local stores and Restaurants I would start slow and get as many local customers as possible. Hopefully the economy will get better and when you are ready and they will be ready for you.