Please help me with getting my egg bussness going!!!!!!

[ninny]

I have 4 acres and a addcition to chickens. I have been selling to family and friends and making a nice chunk each month. I have been really thinking of selling eggs and maybe meat birds to some local cafes or delis. There is also the small gas station/grocery store i work at. I found a website that explains what permits i'd need to do it. Its just a 15 dollar permit fee and a yearly insepction. I would also have to buy new egg cartons. The eggs will have to be candle and graded. I'll post the link if anyone else needs it. If someone could please read through it and make sure I'm understanding it right.
I will be free rangeing the birds and maybe adding flaxseed and sunflower seeds to thier diet. I would like to stay selling all colors of eggs but not sure. I also need a plan for what to do with the hens when they need to be replaced. Sell as pet food maybe? Im going to set up breeding pens so i dont have to buy chicks.
I could sell cartons of white or brown or colored. If I do that should I sell them at different prices? I sell them mixed right now.
I also am thinking of farmers markets. Or just starting a website and really pushing my word of mouth sells. If i do that i don't have to have any permits and i can use any cartons.
If i decide to sell to a store, how do i get them to buy my eggs and how much do i charge them? Their are a couple of people selling eggs right now in our area but they just have signs in thier yards. I'm selling to a whole different market.
Please please help me sort through all of this. This is my way of being a stay at home mom or having to pick up a different job. Im going to ask about the meat birds in that section.

Heres the link: http://www.directfarmbusiness.org/eggs/

 

[Camelot Farms]

HI there. I read through the link and I think you have interpreted it correctly.

I am using the 'sign in the yard' and word of mouth and to be honest, I cant keep up with the demand. I have a waiting list at all times for eggs.

Not that I am advocating for working 'off the books' but maybe its not a bad idea to get started and make sure its gong to work before you go 'on the books'

I'll be watching your posts to see how it goes!
Good luck!!

 

[ninny]

Thank you for reading the link!! My biggest probelm is that i keep having to replace birds every spring. We have the worst predator probelms in th winter. We are moving them into a bigger more predator proof coop this year. I have a waiting list too. Kinda makes you feel special. What should i do with my hens i need to replace? Maybe i'll just start really pushing the word of mouth and see how that goes.

 

[TheRanch]

I don't know what kind of birds you have, but my grandfather used to sell the non layers as stew birds, cut a few up for family or you can always rehome them, depending on your level of attachement

.

 

[ninny]

Those are good ideas. I was thinking of selling them to people who feed their pets raw.

 

[TheRanch]

That works too, that's a very popular diet for many dog owners, I was doing that with mine, but my pommies were looking at my birds a little funny... and the birds are bigger than them

I figured I better change it before they (the pommies) get hurt!!

 

[steward]

Thanks Ninny, your post answered my questions even before I needed to ask them.

Did you say how many birds you have in your flock? I can easily use 10 or 12 for stews and soups for my family, and could probably give at least a few more away to extended family. Good luck in your venture!

 

[ninny]

Quote:
Glad i could help! Right now i only have five because of dumb raccons but i do have 20 in the brooder. We are trying to work our way up to 50 or more layers just taking it slow. I'm slowly rethinking free range over the whole place. I still want to free range just maybe only in the pasture. They keep going in the corn field next to us. Not thinking the farmer will be happy if they eat a bunch of seedlings. I see how much they wander and can't stand the thought of locking them up. If i do breeding or meat birds they are going to have to be in tractors.