How to Sell Chicken Eggs

Selling "backyard fresh" eggs can put a little profit in your egg basket.

The number of farmers markets nationwide grew 17 percent from 2010 to 2011, according to the 2011 United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Directory of Farmers Markets, indicating rising value placed on fresh food. Getting in on this emerging “locally grown” trend with a private backyard chicken egg operation won’t make you rich, but it can put some extra cash in your pocket while you enjoy your own farm fresh eggs.

Instructions

1. Determine how many eggs you want to sell and match the number of hens with your expectations. Keep 18 hens in your brood for each dozen eggs you hope to collect a day, as a general recommendation. Check the laying area twice a day, and gather the eggs promptly to avoid breakage. Wash the eggs immediately to prevent loss of quality from dirt penetrating the shell.

2. Hold each egg up to a candling light or a bright light to check for quality. The light penetrates the shell so you can see the air cell, the yolk and the white. Look for white lines on the shell, which would indicate cracking, and discard damaged eggs or use them for immediate personal consumption.

3. Research the pertinent city, county and state rules in your area as different regulations govern quality standards, proper storage, transportation and certification or licensing throughout the country. Start with your state's Department of Agriculture and regional health department websites. Download applicable forms or applications, fill them out and send them in with a small fee depending on the size and type of your operation. For example, Missouri offers a retailer's license for $5 required for anyone who sells eggs to a consumer.

4. Secure a table or booth at a local farmers' market. Visit localharvest.org for a searchable database of farmers' markets. Peruse nearby markets before registering as a vendor to note the number of egg sellers and whether the regular clientele seems likely to pay a premium for farm-fresh eggs. Price your product according to egg size, market trends in your area and characteristics that make your eggs special.

5. Approach a local chef and arrange to supply your fresh eggs to a restaurant. Suggest appropriate marketing pitches such as sustaining local agriculture and the health benefits of farm-fresh eggs..

Tips & Warnings

• Federal governing agencies like the USDA and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) post information regarding egg production regulation on their websites, but most backyard operations won’t have to deal with the stringent rules large producers follow. Check before packaging or transporting your eggs for sale.

• The Virginia Cooperative Extension cautions that it's illegal to sell eggs in cartons with another producer's name on them -- use plain cartons or ask your customers to supply their own.

References

• USDA: Farmers Market Growth
• Virginia Cooperative Extension; Proper Handling of Eggs: From Hen to Consumption; Philip J. Clauer
• Missouri Agriculture: Egg Licensing & Inspection
• Local Harvest: Farmers Markets / Family Farms / CSA / Organic Food

Resources

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: State Health Departments