Selling: when to start and amt to charge?

[mamatink7]

We've been getting 1-2 eggs a day from the 30th then past 3 days 3 eggs daily. We will be getting 15-19 eggs daily (now r 15 pullets 20wk old).
The sizes are small-large but mainly in between small-medium eggs. Basically pullet sized.
We ate 1 1/2 dozen so far but of course still have 2 dozen left.
Do we put a sign out front yet? Or wait till all are laying most of the time. How much to charge if sell the eggs we have or at least start the selling process??
We've got a ton of cartons, no labels yet nor even a name. I also wanted to set up a site or app so customers can see the chickens.
What's your all opinions?

 

[aart]

You'll have to decide who you want to sell to.
If you sell to the public, there may be rules/regulations you have to follow in your area.
Could include washing, labeling, refrigeration, and other things.

Some folks could sell more than they can supply to co-workers, neighbors, family, their church or other organization they may belong to.

I just sell to a few local friends and acquaintances at a price that matches up with what they pay at the grocery for 'cage free' eggs. Works good for me, covers the cost of feed and some other supplies, and they are understanding when supply might be low due to molting and other reasons.

Price you set needs to match up with your customers, local prices, and what your goals are.

 

[mamatink7]

You'll have to decide who you want to sell to.
If you sell to the public, there may be rules/regulations you have to follow in your area.
Could include washing, labeling, refrigeration, and other things.

Some folks could sell more than they can supply to co-workers, neighbors, family, their church or other organization they may belong to. 

I just sell to a few local friends and acquaintances at a price that matches up with what they pay at the grocery for 'cage free' eggs.  Works good for me, covers the cost of feed and some other supplies, and they are understanding when supply might be low due to molting and other reasons.

Price you set needs to match up with your customers, local prices, and what your goals are.

thank you. I won't be doing markets but I do want to end up posting eggs for sale on a couple of sites. I'm wanting to start with friends family & word of mouth plus couple neighbors have already been asking. Folks around that sell eggs are for 2.50 but I know I could sell for 3.5 or 4 & give little discounts.

 

[aart]

Quote: Better to start high and reduce prices...than trying to raise prices later.
A big thing is when you start running low and/or hens slow down seasonally and people expect it's like the grocery store-always there no matter what, when THEY want it.

 

[mamatink7]

Better to start high and reduce prices...than trying to raise prices later.
A big thing is when you start running low and/or hens slow down seasonally and people expect it's like the grocery store-always there no matter what, when THEY want it.

I didn't think about that (the grocery store thought). Thank you. Oops forgot to ask...what do I when supply goes down?? Right now 3-4 a day so not selling yet but what do I do and say to customers? I know I'll take the sign down and post on site I make that'll be on cartons.

 

[aart]

Quote: Well, that's why I've kept my customer base small and only folks I know....I don't want to deal with the 'public', and also don't want random folks showing up at my house.
I only have about 15 hens and 4 regular, year round customers and a couple more when production is higher in spring/summer.
They understand the natural 'real food' ebb and flow of the seasons, and accept that they may have to buy eggs elsewhere or reduce their use at low times.

Right now production is down as older hens are in or going into molt and all the pullets haven't started laying yet.
There's a list and everyone takes turns, when I get a full dozen I call the next person on the list.
Dozens these days are called 'pullets dozens', it may take up to 16-18 eggs to make up the weight of a 'Medium' to 'Large' dozen(24-27oz).

 

[tmarsh83]

I'm really just echoing aart.

I have 13 layers, 12 are giving eggs, medium to XL.

I'm getting about 8 eggs a day average, and by the time we eat them and family gets some, we only have a couple dozen to sell a week. Coworkers handle that. Wouldn't want a sign. I don't like people that much.

 

[aart]

I'm really just echoing aart.

I have 13 layers, 12 are giving eggs, medium to XL.

I'm getting about 8 eggs a day average, and by the time we eat them and family gets some, we only have a couple dozen to sell a week. Coworkers handle that. Wouldn't want a sign. I don't like people that much.

Your birds all the same age?

 

[tmarsh83]

Your birds all the same age?

Mostly. Ten are this springs pullets. Three are a year older.

 

[mamatink7]

I'm really just echoing aart.

I have 13 layers, 12 are giving eggs, medium to XL.

I'm getting about 8 eggs a day average, and by the time we eat them and family gets some, we only have a couple dozen to sell a week. Coworkers handle that. Wouldn't want a sign. I don't like people that much.

I like the way you think! We are private people too, plus live in middle of nowhere. Only have 4 a day for now.