Tennessee - laws to sell meat and eggs

[SweetieChicken234]

How easy would it be for a small farm or homestead to get licensed to sell chicken meat and eggs? Possibly quail too.

 

[Debbie292d]

How easy would it be for a small farm or homestead to get licensed to sell chicken meat and eggs? Possibly quail too.

I would contact your state Ag Dept., but this looks like it explains the eggs.

https://foodscience.tennessee.edu/w...r-Farm-to-Consumer-Egg-Sales-in-Tennessee.pdf

There are federal laws, state laws, and could be local laws depending where you are. Locally, it's probably just getting a permit from your city hall, but you'd have to ask them.

 

[BobDBirdDog]

As for the Quail, I think it depends on the type/strain of quail. Bob Whites are the Official Native state game bird and you must apply for (pay) and obtain an annual license though the TWRA just to own, hatch eggs, sell or cage them.
There is NO work around trick such as if the hen lays eggs, sits and hatches them out! Double Jeopardy hangman's noose as well. You even have too keep a head count on the flock..which tells if you increase/hatch out the bird/chicks and must be logged and reported annually best I remember. Then there is the Release and catch issue for tame Quail. If one or more gets loose you have to retrieve them or hunt them down and shoot it.
Of course you can kill or butcher all you want (any season of the year)... No seasonal restrictions if you raise and hunt on your own land... But not others.
Like many of the other wild game birds, you cannot release them into the wild unless you get TWRAs blessings.

Cotornix is not an issue best I remember as they are more a crap bird that acts more like a dead/tame chicken..... but you still cannot release them into the wild. I stared out with them, and I cant see any real urge or need to release them into the wild. my strain reminded me more of the starling (without flight) and useless.
Bob Whites... I have hatched out over 15.000 and Chinese Ring-neck Pheasants about a 1500.

I found the Ring-necks more lucrative as the eggs are a good medium hen size egg (freely hatched or ate as they are packed with more protien). Like the Bob White.... as a meat bird they are more in demand. (just sell them live if possible, Quail as well if a quick death is the plan), LOL!
But you cant release Ringnecks into the wild as either. Its a find and retrieve or kill law as well. The reason is converse as they are a non-native species.

Most ALL game birds need a higher protein feed 21% or more making them rather expensive just to feed. Thus the higher sale cost.
If you kill and butcher them yourself..then sell them to a local, that opens another USDA/Dept of Health and other cans of worms.
I do not raise them any more as I am disabled now...

I always found it more easy to sell the live bird and any eggs or chicks. (Under my TWRA license). NIP??? I never Bothered with such due to the paperwork and hoops they demand. I am only one man and a lazy one with enough to do opposed to kissing a sheet of papers butt. which is better used in the dictators rule and regs toilet! TWRA was enough and they just added to crap to the PITA duties.

Just thought I would let you in on my experiences before you get your hands slapped by the Gov. They are worse than a dog sniffing a turd. always got their nose up your A..s! And I use to work with the state Gov next to the Capitol. Lol

BTW... when you sell the quail or eggs, you must have the TWRA licenses number in order too sell.