Those who sell their eggs or give them away

[needlessjunk]

I'm starting to sell my surplus of eggs and have finally been getting a few people interested. Now I'm wondering what to do about cleaning them. Should I just rub off what I can and leave them at room temp or do you wash and refrigerate them? All the ones I have given away I just picked though and gave the cleanest away. The ones that actually need to be washed I keep and use that day or the next. I usually just keep the dirty ones and leave them on the counter anyway. What have y'all found that paying people prefer?

My second question is should I ask people to provide a carton or just figure it into my costs? Most people don't really think about it but it costs me .50 cents per carton. Thus far I have asked them to provide a carton but I wonder if that is a turn off? I'm asking $6 a dozen or $3 for 1/2 a dozen. It seems to be about right for this area. I see some go for $5-8 depending on who is selling them and they are around $7 at the farmers market.

 

[Amiga]

The state ag guy told me not to wash the eggs, just dry wipe them off. The health departments like eggs to be kept cold immediately. Those who are more homesteady seem to feel that refrigeration is optional if the eggs are kept reasonably cool and used within a few weeks.

I do know that once they are refrigerated, they need to be kept cold because (I think this is what I have read) if they are left out in humid warmer air, they "sweat" and the moisture could introduce bacteria through the shell.

 

[needlessjunk]

But if I refrigerate them im wondering if people won't buy them when they are out and about? The lady that bought some today wanted more and all I had were dirty ones and she didn't care at all. They are from Egypt and are use to duck eggs and can't find them here. She said to contact her when I have more to sell. She also got to see them and loved my runners and was laughing when they came running.

 

[fourkidsandduck]

Concerning the carton cost do you know your cost per egg?

 

[needlessjunk]

Concerning the carton cost do you know your cost per egg?

im not sure what you are asking. If I provide the carton I make a profit 45 cents an egg. If they provide the carton I make .50 cents an egg. Cartons cost me .50 cents for the ones that hold a dozen.

 

[Miss Lydia]

im not sure what you are asking. If I provide the carton I make a profit 45 cents an egg. If they provide the carton I make .50 cents an egg. Cartons cost me .50 cents for a dozen.

I have people at my church save their egg cartons for me, I am over run with them now, of course they also want me to bring them eggs in those cartons too. lol

 

[fourkidsandduck]

I just wanted to know if you knew your cost per egg. It appears you do. I would not mention the carton in the ad. If the customer comes with nothing for the eggs up sell them a carton.

As far as reusing cartons this is a touchy subject. Depending on a few things like state law and if your selling them or giving them away. In most states it's not legal to sell eggs in used cartons etc.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I just wanted to know if you knew your cost per egg. It appears you do. I would not mention the carton in the ad. If the customer comes with nothing for the eggs up sell them a carton.

As far as reusing cartons this is a touchy subject. Depending on a few things like state law and if your selling them or giving them away. In most states it's not legal to sell eggs in used cartons etc.

I don't think it would be a good idea to sell eggs in used cartons but I give them away in them alot.

 

[Bine]

I know that in the US washed eggs are normal, but here you can't sell washed eggs. Noone would buy them b/c you have to put them in the frige/ have a unbroken cold chain form washing to cooking. Eggs have a natural protective layer which is damaged by washing or the "sweat" form the frige. Unwashed eggs stay fresh at room temp. for 18 to 20 days. And who on earth buys eggs and than store them for more than three weeks?
As long as the chickens are healthy the eggs will be okay without washing or cooling.
I think one of the sponsors here sells egg cartons, if you don't want to use cartons b/c you have only a handfull of costumers, maybe they can bring plastic boxes.