Selling gritty-shelled and other imperfect (i.e. all) eggs :)

[Wynette]

I'm not sure there's anything you can do to prevent "gritty" eggs. I've got one hen that consistently lays eggs with little bumps like that one one end. My girls have grit, oyster shell, excellent quality layer pellets, lots of treats, and Avia Charge 2000 in their drinking water! I'm not sure if I can give them anything else!

I only have 2 customers who get a dozen eggs each week. Both of them are folks I work with, and both of them think the unique eggs are the neatest of all! In fact, they open the cartons as soon as they get home to show their kids, who just marvel at all the differences in shape, texture, etc. They're all the same inside, and it's been a neat lesson in diversity for the kids!!

 

[bigzio]

I guess I'm a little fussy as to what I sell or give away. I want everyone to be happy with the eggs they are experiencing, versus store bought.

I choose to keep any of the questionable eggs, even though they are just fine, I'll consume those....

The gritty eggs, usually from pullets will improve in quality as the hens mature, and the egg shells will improve with the hens maturing.

Best Wishes and good luck!

bigzio

 

[GoodEgg]

I'm with several other here ... I keep any imperfect eggs, dirty ones, or ones that are a little older for myself.

Although if I am giving them away, I might include smaller ones, or white eggs, etc. if I need that to make a dozen.

I don't worry about the difference in color though. I have a very mixed flock and have everything from light creamy colored eggs, to dark brown ones, to brown speckled with white. I put all the colors in there.

But I don't want anyone to be upset at any eggs they buy from me, so I put the very best ones in the cartons I'm selling.

trish

 

[amysflock]

Thanks, all! I plan to email my office tomorrow (once I get a better egg photo so I can excite them with the colors!) and hope to get a few takers.

One other question: I've read that it's best NOT to wash eggs upon gathering so you don't mess up the bloom (although that's what my MIL told me to do). A couple of you mention holding back the dirtier eggs for your families. Do you wash when you gather, or just brush off, and if you don't wash when you gather, do you instruct your purchasers to do so prior to using? I for one wasn't raised washing my store-bought eggs and wouldn't know to do it if I bought a dozen from a farmer, assuming they were clean and looked "normal".

Thanks!

 

[bigzio]

It's best to keep the nest's as clean as possible. The result is nice clean eggs that can be simply placed in the egg cartons.

I would never clean eggs that look fine. Eggs that need attention should be cleaned where needed, and dryed off.

bigzio

 

[GoodEgg]

I do explain to my customers that I don't wash the eggs, nor refrigerate them.

I tell them that once the eggs are either washed or refrigerated, they begin to deteriorate more quickly. Once in the fridge, they must stay there. Once washed, I usually refrigerate mine.

And I just brush them off, for the most part. Sometimes the chickens do poop on them, and I just keep those for us and wash them before cooking.

trish