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It’s unlikely you will become a millionaire when you sell backyard chicken eggs.
However, you should be able to generate a small income that can at least cover feed costs.
A basic primer on how to sell chicken eggs, whether you have a small amount every week or if you have a more significant amount for a Farmer’s Market.
Remember, all countries and municipalities usually have laws concerning what you can sell and where.
Although we will briefly touch on this, it’s up to you to find out what you need to do in your area.
And if you play your cards right, you can make a profit. Profiting from poultry eggs (food or hatching eggs) requires the right marketing plan. So let’s dive into how to sell eggs…
Prepare for Selling Eggs
Firstly and most importantly, your eggs must be clean.
Poop and dirt on eggshells are not acceptable to the general public or the USDA – although your Aunt Maud may turn a blind eye and declare it’s natural!
Friends and neighbors will probably turn a blind eye to those slightly misshapen eggs, too, knowing they are fresh and healthy.
Some folks won’t and will dismiss these ‘oddities’ as not for consumption.
As far as I can tell, there is no law against selling ‘visually unappealing’ eggs if your customer doesn’t mind.
Depending on where you live, you may or may not have to clean your eggs before the sale.
In the UK, eggs do not have to be cleaned unless dirty and can be sold un-refrigerated. In the US, eggs have to be cleaned before the sale and refrigerated.
Both of these approaches mitigate the possibility of salmonella in the eggs. The UK/EU vaccinate hens against salmonella. The USDA prefers to rely on clean eggs and careful handling to reduce the chance of contamination.
The UK started vaccinating chickens in 1997 and saw the cases of human salmonella drop a whopping 96% over succeeding years! The FDA has been considering this idea for several years but believes the data is inconclusive.
Sell Eggs Clean
The easiest way to keep the eggs clean is to keep the nesting boxes clean.
Check them every morning, replace nesting material as needed, and remove dirt and poop balls.
Collect eggs frequently to prevent soiling and damage.
If you have a couple of hens that like to sleep in the nest boxes at night, it’s time for them to graduate to the roosts – shut off the boxes at night if needs be and park them on the perch.
According to the USDA Farm to Table website, “It’s not necessary or recommended for consumers to wash eggs and may increase the risk of contamination because the wash water can be “sucked” into the egg through the pores in the shell.
When the chicken lays the egg, a protective coating is put on the outside by the hen.
Government regulations require that USDA-graded eggs be carefully washed and sanitized using only compounds meeting FDA regulations for processing foods.”
Depending on your local laws, you may prefer not to wash the eggs you will be selling. Some chicken farmers have begun advertising their eggs as “dirty eggs” to educate consumers who understand the benefits of keeping the bloom intact.
Some consumers prefer to wash their eggs because they can do it before eating (having left the protective bloom intact) and pass it based on their preferred cleaning method.
With that being said, you probably don’t want to sell extremely dirty or poopy eggs to your customers. Those should be washed and kept separately or discarded.
Egg Grading and Size Before Selling Eggs
The egg industry has defined what is ‘acceptable to the public in the size and shape of eggs, and many consumers believe that all eggs are precisely the same.
Anything different is frowned upon and considered ‘inferior’ – we know differently, though!
Industry eggs are graded, and for the most part, only ‘grade AA’ eggs make it to the supermarket for general consumption.
Grade ‘A’ is considered ‘acceptable’ but of lower quality.
Grade ‘B’ are eggs that may have stains, irregular shape, or shell quality.
These are sent to foodstuff manufacturers. ‘B’ eggs are not sold to the general public because they don’t measure up to the industry standard.
The size and weight of eggs are generally divided into six categories:
- Peewee – 1.25 oz
- Small – 1.5 oz
- Medium – 1.75oz
- Large – 2oz
- Extra-large – 2.25oz
- Jumbo – 2.5oz
You do not have to grade or size your eggs unless you intend to sell them commercially.
Farmgate sales are exempt from grading.
Also, you do not have to fill the carton with eggs of the same size. For instance, you can vary the size with two large, two medium, and two small.
Selling Eggs in Egg Cartons
You cannot use ‘brand name’ egg cartons since you are not selling the ‘brand’ eggs.
However, you can purchase new egg cartons inexpensively from your local farm or garden store.
I will re-use clean cartons, not broken or damaged, and non-soiled, erring on the side of caution.
If you plan on making this a regular occurrence, you might consider putting a label on the carton with your name, address, and phone number.
This way, people remember where they bought those delicious eggs!
Also, don’t forget to put a ‘best before date on the carton, so folks know the eggs are fresh.
Where Can You Sell Chicken Eggs?
You need to know who your potential customers are.
If you have a small number of eggs to sell weekly, the customer base may be friends and family.
If you have a neighbor who is a bit ‘iffy’ about having hens next door, bribery usually works, so ‘donate’ them some eggs once every couple of weeks.
They may decide that the eggs and hens aren’t so rotten and start buying from you!
But, ifyou have more eggs to sell, you will need to start looking further afield.
Check around your area to see where you may be able to sell.
Campgrounds, local farm stores, and farmer’s markets are good places to start your sales pitch. If you sell beyond the ‘farm gate,’ you will generally need a license. However, if the campground owner comes to you – you will not need a permit!
In my experience, though, the best advertising is, of course, word of mouth.
If your eggs are tasty, reasonably priced, and local, you will probably have more customers than eggs, especially in the winter months.
Setting up a Roadside Stand to Sell Chicken Eggs
Before you start, think about other roadside stands you have seen.
Would you have bought from them? Why did you buy from them – more importantly, why didn’t you buy from them?
A tatty makeshift stand that’s held together with a couple of nails and duct tape will not attract customers! People will notice you can’t be bothered with a ‘good appearance,’ so what else can’t you be concerned with?
You can either build your stand or use a small garden shed for the task. Unless you have many other things for sale, a small homemade frame will probably be sufficient. Make it simple and fit your needs.
A freshly painted frame, a good presentation of your products, and even some whimsical decorations all help to attract folks. You need to put some time and effort into production – even if it’s just a sign saying “eggs for sale.”
If you are in a position to have folks come to the door and ask for eggs, you need to ensure you are available at all reasonable hours.
If you want customers to come to your door, make sure you say something like ‘knock on the back door’ – it gives the idea that they are welcome and gives direction! No one wants to be poking around looking for someone to buy the eggs from!
A poster showing your hens and the pasture will let people know your hens are free rangers. A couple of close-ups of your girls will likely bring a smile to faces, and they will remember you for the future.
Ensure your products and prices are displayed so there is no room for confusion. Always check your spelling.
If you rely on people’s honesty and use an honesty box, do it cautiously. Ensure your money box cannot be broken into and bolt into the stand. Sadly, people can and will take your product and your cash.
How Much Should I Sell Chicken Eggs For?
Many consumers these days are aware of the terrible conditions in which hens are kept in the commercial world and will buy local, free-range eggs whenever possible.
Pricing your eggs to sell can be tricky. Suppose you consider all your expenses (feed, housing, water, electricity, etc.). In that case, the eggs may be too expensive for many folks, especially when they can buy a dozen much cheaper at the supermarket.
I generally sell mine to cover the cost of their feed.
Pricing will also have to consider the local availability of your product. Folks may pay more for freshly laid eggs if you live in town. In some rural areas where almost everyone has chickens, you may have to sell them cheaper.
Markets fluctuate, so keep your eyes open!
If your customers live a short distance away from you, they may appreciate ‘free delivery’ of their eggs, personalizing the service.
Eggs for Sale at Specialty Farmer’s Markets
If you raise bantams, quail, or ducks, there are specialty markets for you. Bakers love duck eggs – if you have never baked with duck eggs, I highly recommend it!!
You will have to do your homework to find these places, but it can be well worth it in the long run.
If you can get a small local restaurant or bakery to buy all your eggs, that is a bonus and a good start for your small business.
How T Sell Eggs Legally from Home to Farmer’s Markets
Finally, we need to touch on the legalities of selling eggs to the public. In a nutshell, small private sales from your home are typically exempt from licensing.
You need to be licensed if you wish to sell at farm markets, CSAs, or local stores. It would help if you also were inspected by the USDA and have your facilities inspected yearly.
Each state in the US is different, and the UK and Canada also have licensing systems in place, which you will need to comply with (if you sell there).
It can be frustrating to plow through the rules and regulations, but it is well worth the effort to avoid problems.
If you plan to become a business, you will also need a business license(s). These are usually available from the municipal building; the cost varies from State to State but is generally quite reasonable.
For example, you will only need a business license in NY state if you have over 1000 dozen eggs to sell per year!
Links to your local state requirements can be found here: www.nerous.org.
In general, the rules are not too onerous for the backyard seller. It only gets complicated once you decide you want to make it a business.
How To Sell Chicken Eggs Conclusion
Selling backyard chicken eggs can be a great way to cover the cost of your feed. You now know how to sell chicken eggs from farmers’ markets to roadside stands.
An average fifty-pound feed bag costs $15 here and will last thirty hens for around two weeks. If you can sell your eggs at $3/dozen, you’ll need three dozen eggs/week to cover the cost of the feed.
Every penny helps, and if you stash the cash in a separate container, you will be pleasantly surprised at how quickly it adds up!
Hopefully, this guide on how to sell eggs inspires you to start your side business or help your kids learn how to start a business!
Do your research, enjoy making your farm stand and enjoy the pocket money generated by your ladies. Who knows? You might make enough to buy some more chickens!
Let us know in the comments below if you sell your eggs and how much.
