Pricing "duck" Eggs (locally)

[Bleenie]

How much do you sell your eggs for Locally? (not shipped)
I decided to collect the girls eggs today and have 23 but i am debating over selling them now or waiting til Saturday to take them to auction. I was thinking $20 for all 23 eggs was a fair price.

 

[katharinad]

It is illegal to sell or trade Muscovy ducks including eggs as of 1 April.
Google for Fish and Wildlife Service 50 CFR 21.14

Sorry for the bad news.
Katharina

 

[Bleenie]

I know about the new regulation, ive spoken with the Migratory Bird person with F&W.

It's not illegal to sell muscovy eggs for eating. If i sell them for eating then what the buyer chooses to do with them is out of my control.
There are a lot of asians and others around here that eat muscovy & bolut (

). so they'll buy them for that no matter what. There's also still tons of Muscovies at our local auction & they havent had a problem yet, not even from the local Animal Control officer that goes every weekend...he only has a problem with them selling Ringneck Pheasents, apparently theyre illegal to sell as adults in WA.

 

[katiebob]

I have never sold eggs, but as a recent buyer I believe this is very fair. I found a breeder who sold her fertile hatching eggs for a dollar each. Another guy sold a dozen eggs for $5 and he advertised the eggs for consumption or hatching. He didn't seem knowledgeable so I questioned the quality and I ended up buying day old Muscovy ducklings from the breeder with experience. Perhaps showing pictures of the flock the eggs came from or tidbits of info to go along the sale will appeal to those wanting only the best. Good Luck

 

[One Acre Wonder Farm]

I think $20 for 23 is fair. I sell hatching eggs locally on craigslist for $1 each or $10/dozen.

 

[katharinad]

I've noticed that there are a lot of Asians up in the Puyallup area. We are there every year for the Oktoberfest, selling German stuff. I only pointed out the new law, because many don't know. It's a shame that they did pass such a thing. I hope they will come out with an exception for the backyard owners. Not that you are going out into the wild getting them.

This is domesticated life stock after all.
Katharina

 

[TennesseeTruly]

The Muscovy law hasn't gone into affect yet, its been put on hold until the revision.

Laurie

 

[goosedragon]

Quote:
Latest word is that they realized that they made a mistake and will not be enforcing that regulation except in certain areas (mostly urban suburban )where people tend to dump ducks. People in FL say that it is being enforced there because the huge problem they have with Muscovies going wild.

 

[Taylor]

here 12 dollars a dozen for hatching eggs

 

[FenDruadin]

I sell eating eggs for $5 a dozen and hatching eggs for $10 a dozen (considering raising that before long...). Every morning I carefully sort my eggs, placing the best hatching eggs (those of a nice size, shape, and texture for hatching) from eating eggs (all the rest). My eggs are all pure Indian Runner, but assorted colors, including some mixes (non-standard). If I were selling guaranteed colors, or top quality (such as Holderread stock, for instance), or both, I would charge more for them.

I also question when people are charging the same for hatching or eating. To me, there is a difference--my best quality eggs are used for hatching, and vice versa. So there is good reason to charge more for them. I also handle them differently, being especially gentle, storing them at good temperatures, and turning them in the carton daily. I also label them, in pencil, with the date of collection. I'm probably not charging enough for them, lol.

On the other hand, last year I sold a few eggs here and there, and only had three laying hens--so hatching eggs were necessarily the same as eating eggs, except for the handling. And I charged the same either way, and made it clear that they were simply whichever eggs the hens were laying that week, no sorting.

In the end, though, the question really comes down to what your market will bear. Craigslist buyers usually don't want to pay more than a couple bucks, tops, for any kind of egg (per dozen). On the other end of the spectrum, chefs will pay top dollar for outstanding quality eggs. And of course experienced breeders will pay good money for quality eggs in a breed they are trying to introduce.

So the bottom line is, charge what you can get for them. If you are selling out at a particular price, raise the price. If they aren't selling at all, lower the price or find a new market.

Good luck!