Selling Eggs

[Fred's Hens]

Selling eggs here or there is another matter altogether, But having a couple dozen or more steady egg customers requires some pretty sober flock management. To have consistent flow in egg production, there are some things that I share, for what it is worth. .

1. A substantial portion of the flock needs to be first year pullets. First year pullets don't moult severely and aren't as photo reactive or sensitive to daylight changes. Always having new pullets coming "on board" every six months is fairly essential.
2. Having a substantial segment of the flock be premium egg laying hybrids, capable of 320 eggs their pullet year is also a must.

I don't know that we will always have the egg business, but as long as we do, these are things we have to focus on.

 

[OldGuy43]

As someone already pointed out it depends on where you are. As an example, we are lucky here in Texas. If you are not incorporated, are selling eggs raised on your property, and don't claim a grade for them you are exempt from the laws. I'm reasonably convinced that other states are pickier. That is the nature of government.

While I don't have as many eggs as you we get $3/dozen and have buyers waiting.

 

[weebles&wobblesmom]

Well my original plan back in April, was to just get 5 pullets, a cockral and 1 duckling. (I had gotten a duckling earlier because it was suppose to have been sick, so the person who ordered it, didn't want it. He lived....

). Anyway, the farm store I work at sells chicks twice a year and needless to say, being the animal lover and sucker that I am, I ended up with 42 chicks and ducklings.

I got rid of 4 (out of 9) of my ducks. I had 8 males and 1 female.

I really do not know how many pullets I have. I haven't actually counted them. I know I have at least 1 rooster in each breed, which I have barred rock, polish and banties, plus 2 cornish cross and some white ones with black spots. Not sure what kind they are. IF my Banties are laying, I am not finding their eggs. The ones I get seem to be too big for them.
I have a total of 32 chickens now and 5 ducks. ( 3 Pekins and 2 runners)

this is turning into a very interesting hobby, but I'm loving it.........

I am greatful to everyone on this site and I tell everyone that is just starting with or has had chickens about this site.

 

[weebles&wobblesmom]

I see signs for farm fresh eggs all the time, so I dont think there is much of a concern about the law, like you said, if I'm not a corp. My thing is I didn't know if I was doing anything wrong as far as cleaning them and packaging & pricing, since I do get varying sizes and both brown and white.

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
Ditto. Eggs I sell to neighbors and co-workers are handled differently than any eggs that I want to sell off-site, such as at a farmer's market. To learn how I needed to clean eggs for sale at markets I contacted our local agricultural extension office. From them I learned that Arkansas law requires that there be no visible manure on the egg, but doesn't require that I wash them.

Here is an interesting article on handling eggs to sell on a small scale basis. It includes the fact that if you feel you must wash eggs you should do so in water that is at least 20*F warmer than the egg itself:http://www.thepoultrysite.com/articles/1548/smallscale-egg-handling-1

 

[rebelcowboysnb]

Quote:
Yes they are. Here's Georgia if ya want to see. http://www.foodscience.caes.uga.edu/extension/documents/BasicRegulatoryRequirementsforLicensingaSmallEggProducer.pdf

The short version, You have to be a licensed egg grader to sell or give any eggs to anyone

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

I see signs for farm fresh eggs all the time, so I dont think there is much of a concern about the law

Or maybe they ARE following the law​

 

[firedog2023]

dont it take of the embrio and it not good for the buyer