Selling Eggs

[Treerooted]

I don't think there's anything wrong with bringing attention to the need to be sustainable in your (new) egg selling business. Maybe this a terrible terrible idea, but you could explain something along the lines of

"I love providing fresh nutritious eggs to my community and would like to offer to as many families as possible. To cover expenses of a larger flock I will be charging 2.50 per dozen. Thank you for your support!"

I dunno, working in something like that.
Just another idea to add to the list

 

[twoacrefarm]

I don't think there's anything wrong with bringing attention to the need to be sustainable in your (new) egg selling business. Maybe this a terrible terrible idea, but you could explain something along the lines of

"I love providing fresh nutritious eggs to my community and would like to offer to as many families as possible. To cover expenses of a larger flock I will be charging 2.50 per dozen. Thank you for your support!"

I dunno, working in something like that.
Just another idea to add to the list  

Now that is a GREAT idea!! I'll have to integrate it in!!

 

[drumstick diva]

sure - hens don't lay for free - they are bawking about hourly wage hikes. Gee if some folks think it's simple or so cheap to raise them - let them try!!

 

[SunHwaKwon]

sure - hens don't lay for free - they are bawking about hourly wage hikes. Gee if some folks think it's simple or so cheap to raise them - let them try!!

You've got that right. I was talking to my best friend about my chickens and she said that they eat a lot of chicken and eggs (she has like six kids between her own, fostered, and adopted) so maybe she should raise some to save money. I wanted to say, I hate to burst your bubble.. but I know she won't follow through on it anyway so I just let it be.

 

[SunHwaKwon]

We are supposed to have a license, and of course wash, refrigerate, and grade the eggs, to legally sell them here in Maryland - not that it is enforced unless you try to sell them in a store or at a market. Still, I think a possible work around would be to give people eggs and ask for donations to support the flock.

 

[ApiaryandAviary]

We are supposed to have a license, and of course wash, refrigerate, and grade the eggs, to legally sell them here in Maryland - not that it is enforced unless you try to sell them in a store or at a market. Still, I think a possible work around would be to give people eggs and ask for donations to support the flock. 

But then they can not be sold for Hatching?

 

[SunHwaKwon]

But then they can not be sold for Hatching?

Its just for eating eggs. I do think there is a license requirement for selling hatching eggs, chicks, and chickens, though it may depend on the # you sell per year.

 

[ejcrist]

Its just for eating eggs. I do think there is a license requirement for selling hatching eggs, chicks, and chickens, though it may depend on the # you sell per year.

Well, I'm not surprised about the regulations there in my original home state. Just curious but do they mirror the USDA program like most states or have something more stringent? It sounds like they have more stringent requirements. The USDA has minimum production amounts before you even fall into a class that needs to be inspected regarding size/grading and I know the amount is a lot higher than any backyard chickeneer would produce, something like 700 cases a year or something. I haven't read the USDA info in a while but I remember the amount was far higher than any amount I'll ever produce with 100 and some odd chickens.

twoacrefarm - Don't be bashful about stating your prices. I know how you feel because I was the same way initially, but then after a short while everyone was eating my eggs but me. So I priced accordingly, comparable to local organic eggs plus a small margin since mine were much fresher, and low and behold I only lost one customer out of a bunch, and the people who stayed customers were relieved I was finally allowing them to pay for them. So just my take, but if anyone frowns on your charging they ain't worth having as customers anyway. It costs time, money, and a lot of effort to produce the eggs so don't be shy about charging for them. Good luck.

 

[twoacrefarm]

Well, I'm not surprised about the regulations there in my original home state. Just curious but do they mirror the USDA program like most states or have something more stringent? It sounds like they have more stringent requirements. The USDA has minimum production amounts before you even fall into a class that needs to be inspected regarding size/grading and I know the amount is a lot higher than any backyard chickeneer would produce, something like 700 cases a year or something. I haven't read the USDA info in a while but I remember the amount was far higher than any amount I'll ever produce with 100 and some odd chickens. 

twoacrefarm - Don't be bashful about stating your prices. I know how you feel because I was the same way initially, but then after a short while everyone was eating my eggs but me. So I priced accordingly, comparable to local organic eggs plus a small margin since mine were much fresher, and low and behold I only lost one customer out of a bunch, and the people who stayed customers were relieved I was finally allowing them to pay for them. So just my take, but if anyone frowns on your charging they ain't worth having as customers anyway. It costs time, money, and a lot of effort to produce the eggs so don't be shy about charging for them. Good luck.  

Thank you! I was more nervous about taking money for them than anything. I'm hoping it'll go away. Someone pulled into my drive and asked if I sold eggs yesterday and I did it! I said yes and I charged them, albeit under charged haha! My husband said he'd make me a sign so I couldn't back out of the price we set LOL

 

[SunHwaKwon]

Well, I'm not surprised about the regulations there in my original home state. Just curious but do they mirror the USDA program like most states or have something more stringent? It sounds like they have more stringent requirements. The USDA has minimum production amounts before you even fall into a class that needs to be inspected regarding size/grading and I know the amount is a lot higher than any backyard chickeneer would produce, something like 700 cases a year or something. I haven't read the USDA info in a while but I remember the amount was far higher than any amount I'll ever produce with 100 and some odd chickens. 

twoacrefarm - Don't be bashful about stating your prices. I know how you feel because I was the same way initially, but then after a short while everyone was eating my eggs but me. So I priced accordingly, comparable to local organic eggs plus a small margin since mine were much fresher, and low and behold I only lost one customer out of a bunch, and the people who stayed customers were relieved I was finally allowing them to pay for them. So just my take, but if anyone frowns on your charging they ain't worth having as customers anyway. It costs time, money, and a lot of effort to produce the eggs so don't be shy about charging for them. Good luck.  

It's really not very stringent. I find it ironic that no permit is required if you just sell them at auction.
Selling Live Poultry or Hatching Eggs

"You must have a permit to sell live poultry or hatching eggs in Maryland. The only exceptions are poultry sold for immediate slaughter (COMAR 15.11.11.04) or at an approved auction market. To obtain a permit, complete the Permit to Sell Live Poultry & Hatching Eggs​. Please note: there are testing requirements, sanitation requirements and record keeping requirements for selling live poultry or hatching eggs. The objective of this permit is to prevent the spread of poultry diseases. If you do not wish to obtain a permit to sell live poultry or hatching eggs you are free to sell poultry at any livestock auction in Maryland. "

http://mda.maryland.gov/AnimalHealth/Pages/poultry.aspx#SellLivePoultry