The Moonshiner's Leghorns

[The Moonshiner]

I've gone back and forth about selling eggs recently. If I did decide to it would surely not be until next year at least so no one get excited or anything.
I'd have to change directions a bit and focus on having enough birds to have access eggs to sell. That means more costs to maintain them for me but $$$ from selling them could offset that. So that brings up a couple of questions.
Some varieties a have a few of and some only a couple of etc. So with that and the number of different ones I have it isn't like I could make available everything within a year. How would I go about that? How would I know which would bring the interest or should that matter? Would I just start with what I have the most of and start with selling just a couple varieties and add more ever year? Try to figure out what people would want and focus on those? Go with whatever I happen to have and just sell my pick grab bag specials?
I'm not sure how to go about it that would make the most sense and be feasible. If that makes sense.
Another question is what to charge. I would have to charge enough to make it worth it and I'm afraid that number would make me feel uncomfortable.
Id end up wanting to sell them cheap and that would probably end up good for everyone but me.
Flat rate for any and everything or different prices depending?
IDK. Just thinking into it this much has my head spinning and thinking would it even be worth it.
Seems it would be a lot of thinking and figuring. Not the kinda things I like to put my energy in. LOL

 

[Redhead Rae]

I've gone back and forth about selling eggs recently. If I did decide to it would surely not be until next year at least so no one get excited or anything.
I'd have to change directions a bit and focus on having enough birds to have access eggs to sell. That means more costs to maintain them for me but $$$ from selling them could offset that. So that brings up a couple of questions.
Some varieties a have a few of and some only a couple of etc. So with that and the number of different ones I have it isn't like I could make available everything within a year. How would I go about that? How would I know which would bring the interest or should that matter? Would I just start with what I have the most of and start with selling just a couple varieties and add more ever year? Try to figure out what people would want and focus on those? Go with whatever I happen to have and just sell my pick grab bag specials?
I'm not sure how to go about it that would make the most sense and be feasible. If that makes sense.
Another question is what to charge. I would have to charge enough to make it worth it and I'm afraid that number would make me feel uncomfortable.
Id end up wanting to sell them cheap and that would probably end up good for everyone but me.
Flat rate for any and everything or different prices depending?
IDK. Just thinking into it this much has my head spinning and thinking would it even be worth it.
Seems it would be a lot of thinking and figuring. Not the kinda things I like to put my energy in. LOL

Granted, I've only shipped 18 eggs one time and the PO broke 3 of them in transit. I'm offering to sell my eggs at $50 a dozen (I'll probably throw an extra egg or two in there). The Medium Flat Rate box express rate is $15.05 to ship anywhere in the lower 48 (I'm not sure about AK or HI). Depending on distance, it can take 2+ days to arrive. I shipped eggs from WV to IL. It took two days. Farther away takes longer. If you want to do 2 days guaranteed, the price goes up like crazy (3-5x the flat rate). You can offer that, but it is more trouble because unless you can get an accurate weight beforehand, you can't make sure they pay before you head to the PO. You also have the expense of your shipping materials, Bubble wrap, box stuffing, tape etc. I've been saving stuff from my Amazon purchases and shredded paper works well. If you do the flat rate box, you don't need to pay for the box, that is included in the price.

 

[Redhead Rae]

Oh and I'll ship on Monday if at all possible, to lessen the risk of the eggs sitting over the weekend.

 

[Miami Leghorn]

I've gone back and forth about selling eggs recently. If I did decide to it would surely not be until next year at least so no one get excited or anything.
I'd have to change directions a bit and focus on having enough birds to have access eggs to sell. That means more costs to maintain them for me but $$$ from selling them could offset that. So that brings up a couple of questions.
Some varieties a have a few of and some only a couple of etc. So with that and the number of different ones I have it isn't like I could make available everything within a year. How would I go about that? How would I know which would bring the interest or should that matter? Would I just start with what I have the most of and start with selling just a couple varieties and add more ever year? Try to figure out what people would want and focus on those? Go with whatever I happen to have and just sell my pick grab bag specials?
I'm not sure how to go about it that would make the most sense and be feasible. If that makes sense.
Another question is what to charge. I would have to charge enough to make it worth it and I'm afraid that number would make me feel uncomfortable.
Id end up wanting to sell them cheap and that would probably end up good for everyone but me.
Flat rate for any and everything or different prices depending?
IDK. Just thinking into it this much has my head spinning and thinking would it even be worth it.
Seems it would be a lot of thinking and figuring. Not the kinda things I like to put my energy in. LOL

Sensei...
Please put me on your list.

 

[PLwarped59]

Do a poll. Use which varieties you have the most of, gauge interest with a poll of those varieties. Then go with the top one or two, to start.

As for price, people will pay for what they want. For example I just paid $150 for a dozen eggs the other day. Crazy, I know. Why? Beacuse I REALLY wanted that variety, that variety is not easy to find, and they were from a top breeder of that variety. I couldn't pass it up.

It might be a good thing to do, there seems to be quite a few people interested in non-standard leghorn varities. You might be able to find people to help with furthering your goals.
Especially helpful if ever there were a major loss of birds. Networking is geart when it can be found. Since I like isabella, helping on those or lavender would be in my interest.
Many people want to further breed varieties in order to get them accepted into the standard. I am going to work toward that with at least one breed for sure.

 

[PLwarped59]

Granted, I've only shipped 18 eggs one time and the PO broke 3 of them in transit. I'm offering to sell my eggs at $50 a dozen (I'll probably throw an extra egg or two in there). The Medium Flat Rate box express rate is $15.05 to ship anywhere in the lower 48 (I'm not sure about AK or HI). Depending on distance, it can take 2+ days to arrive. I shipped eggs from WV to IL. It took two days. Farther away takes longer. If you want to do 2 days guaranteed, the price goes up like crazy (3-5x the flat rate). You can offer that, but it is more trouble because unless you can get an accurate weight beforehand, you can't make sure they pay before you head to the PO. You also have the expense of your shipping materials, Bubble wrap, box stuffing, tape etc. I've been saving stuff from my Amazon purchases and shredded paper works well. If you do the flat rate box, you don't need to pay for the box, that is included in the price.

I have seen people using the flat rate shipping boxes. I know I can get a box to Hawai'i in 3 days with those. Edited to say that is from NC to Hawa'i'.

 

[Miami Leghorn]

I really want to get some Mille Fleur leghorns ... and I will eventually, once I established the other lines I'm working with.
But I got to tell you that when @The Moonshiner unleashes the list of Leghorn varieties he's working with;you're going to want to expand your pens considerably.

 

[RiverOtter]

View attachment 2197223

Cuties!! Do you pull and hand feed? That looks about the age I like to start them.

 

[Miami Leghorn]

Cuties!! Do you pull and hand feed? That looks about the age I like to start them.

Yes I do.
You have to if you want to imprint them.

 

[RiverOtter]

I would like to have a pole setup on this site for people to vote....a petition if you will, for The Moonshiner to start writing his book on Leghorn breeding..working titles if I may suggest:
The Leggern Chronicles..or..Chasing the Locus...

Maybe it would be more useful for someone to help him set up a Kickstarter or Patreon account. Because enthusiasm is all well and good, but everybody's got to pay the bills. It's a lot easier to sit and write with some funding.

@The Moonshiner, I think this thread shows "If you build it, they will come." Sell what you have. I know that if I could afford it, I'd be thrilled to buy a surprise box of whatever you had that day.
Also, I'm not joking about the crowdfunding. Right now the iron is hot, too. Everyone wants chickens.