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7:59 am
August 13, 2011
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I have 6 comets, 4 guinea hens and a pair of ducks (one female of course). I am getting over run with eggs. The comets each lay these extra large to jumbo brown eggs everyday. Sometimes their eggs are larger than the ducks! Then of course the guinea eggs are smaller than the chicken eggs.
Even with all scratch cooking and baking I can't use over 75 eggs a week. Any suggestions on what would be a fair asking price if I were to sell them. In our local supermarkets eggs range from about $1.50 doz. for the run of the mill large white eggs to $4.00 a doz. large organic brown eggs. While I can't label mine as certified organic, they come close. They may get some veggie scapes that were not considered organic in the store, but most of the time they free range in our yard and garden. Thanks for your help.
8:35 am
February 3, 2010
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Did you know crafters will buy duck eggs? I don't know if they want the shells blown out or if they are willing to do it themselves. Either way I would market it as duck eggs for crafts. Goose eggs are even better 'cause they are bigger. Also the tiny little banty eggs. You could tack up a sign selling your regular eggs. I don't think $2.50 is too much to ask. Then you could include the sign for duck eggs for crafts, also. I'd charge at least $4.00 a dozen, even half a dozen. Stress that the egg itself is excellent for cakes, the shells for crafts. Then just take the duck egg sign down when you don't have enough. If you blow out the shells I'd charge at least $2.00 per shell, that is hard work unless some one knows an easier way than I do.
That way you are sort of making up the difference on the regular eggs which, when you consider feed and care, are always under priced. Such is the life of a farmer.
Oh and make sure you stress "free-range" on your regular eggs. Caveat: I neither own chickens nor do crafts with egg shells, this is all just random info I have read on the internet or farming magazines. Also, I am sure there are excellent posts right on CITR telling how to preserve the bounty for when those chickens are on strike this winter.
9:40 am
February 10, 2009
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Hey Lavenderblue! You KNEW one of us would link to the blog about ”FREEZING EGGS” didn't you!
Homekeepn, setting a price for your eggs begins with first of all, what is legal in your state. I warn you, in my experience, if you call anyone at the state level, they will say "OHNOYOUCANTDOTHAT!" in horror, because they would rather say that than look up the facts for you.
Here in Ohio, I can sell eggs on my property, from chickens on my property, with no real regulation at all. If I take them to a farmer's market off of my property, that's another whole kettle of fish and then you can run into storage, handling and time constraints by regulation. Not sure that's all a bad thing really. I don't consider that overly nanny-ish. If I'm selling on my property, people know who I am and where I live etc if there's any problem, at a farmer's market, I could be anybody… (except not in this little town, but say in a city market)
BUT, wherever you are, could be another whole thing. I looked through the Maine Dept of Ag rules, and I BELIEVE it's the same for you. Here's the link to the page that I THINK applies, or takes you to the pages that apply. http://www.mainelegislature.or…..3sec0.html . (Look at 'Subchapter 3 EGGS' Notice all the I BELIEVE and I THINKS? I am NOT a lawyer and am only reading the same things you are! Here's the link for the main Maine site State Agency Rules . .. but really, I'd call your county extension office. Maybe even print out the pages that apply and go to talk to them there. I'm lucky that I live about 10 minutes from our extension office, so I'm a frequent flier at ours.
OK, prices. I could figure out all my costs, what I spend on feed and how long I feed them till they begin to lay etc etc, but the fact is, you'll never get rich raising chickens the way we all like to, and treating them well, and feeding them right. You probably won't even make your cost back. You can make a little back on the whole investment though… and here's my big advice.
Charge as much as you possibly can to those who can afford it. Give eggs to those who can't. If you have other egg sellers around you, find out what they charge, and don't charge any LESS than they do, it'll make them mad and you don't want to alienate neighbors. If you can get away with it, charge more though! Believe me, people will pay more for yours, it's as if they think if you're charging more they must be better.
Make some labels that say Farm Fresh from Happy Free Range Hens, and don't try to pretend they'd pass for organic, the organic rules have become corrupt by the big corporations who are trying to masquerade as real farms anyway. People that keep up with that stuff know grocery store labels mean almost nothing anymore.
Now, I don't know exactly what part of Maine you're in, but I spent about 8 months there testing a computer system for the AF and forgive the generalization, but depending on your specific area and how close you are to a largish city, you may have a problem squeezing any extra cash thanks to the admirable frugality of a lot of the rural residents. Do what you can though because your eggs are so much better than anything they'll buy in the grocery and they're worth it.
You MIGHT want to consider GIVING the first dozen away. Tell the customers that if they don't agree they're the best eggs they've ever tasted then you're still happy to give their family a great breakfast. Bet they come back for your $3 or $4 dollar a dozen eggs! hehe, here, I was only able to charge $2 a doz, when my hens get to laying better again though, I'm raising my prices.
Oh yeah, be warned, it's easy to LOWER prices, it's darn near impossible to RAISE them if you find you're undercharging later. So I guess my advice there is to start high then reduce if you need to. You can always tell them you're dropping prices because you have too many eggs, raising price just seems greedy to people.
Ask if people bake a lot since duck eggs are prized by bakers!
10:40 am
June 12, 2011
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I charge $3/doz. for my regular old chicken eggs, from a variety of breeds and egg colors. I don't have any ducks or geese that lay eggs (they're all too darned 'ornamental') but if I did I would sure charge a lot more for their eggs! Maybe $5/doz. for duck eggs….? Good luck with your clucking/quacking gals! Oh, and maybe your hens could come over and give my hens a lesson on industrious egg-production…?? 
10:44 am
January 31, 2011
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and tell neighbors and friends you will give them a discount if they bring their own containers for the eggs…
those online ones are expensive, but the styrene ones can be washed in the dishwasher…NO HEAT DRY …
I had about a billion because
the recycle wouldn't take them for a loooong time.
laur
2:21 pm
August 13, 2011
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Thank you all so much for the replies. I do use the duck eggs to make pasta and to bake with, so I may not have enough to sell anytime soon. I didn't know about crafter using duck egg shells for projects. That is good to know.
I do live close to many of Maine's larger cities and do know that people will pay a higher price for the quality eggs that I have. I just didn't know how much to push without over doing it.
Some of the eggs are so big that they don't fit in the carton right and I have a hard time shutting the lid all the way. I do feel that the weight of the eggs alone should boost up the price.
4:17 pm
December 14, 2010
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Check with some of the local chefs at the better restrurants. A deviled duck egg and a salad would make a fine meal. Boiled quail eggs are often used as garnish, guinea eggs might serve the same purpose.
Quite often supermarkets have a gourmet section where they sell unusual products at a premium.
12:12 pm
April 8, 2010
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My local grocery store buys eggs from farmers in the area, including me. They provide the cartons. I have 5 hens that lay every day so they give more than DH and I eat. Whenever we go to town I pack up what eggs we have-usually 2 or 3 dz.
What we get for them varies, usually $1.50-$1.90. I could sell them off the place or at the Farmers Market for way more but I am happy getting what I get. I figure anything I get for them is a plus since I have no time or money invested in selling them.
People call and want to buy eggs because they see the hens out. I have resisted doing that because then I am committed to providing so many eggs on a regular basis. This way I have a ready market for my extra eggs but if I want to make noodles or an angel cake or we're having house guests and need more eggs, I can use as many as I want.
I have thought about getting 12 hens, putting out an Eggs For Sale sign, and setting my own price. But that would entail cartons, a bigger coop and pen, being available for egg pick-ups, and more poop to scoop. For now I am happy taking our eggs to town.
2:03 pm
September 20, 2010
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In our local newspaper yesterday they had a story of a lady that raises chickens and ducks, she sells her eggs for $5.99 a doz, these are chicken eggs and can be purchased at our local health food store here in town, they are not even certified organic, I sure am glad I have chickens! I would NEVER pay $5.99 for a dozen eggs!
5:52 pm
August 13, 2011
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I think we have decided to charge $3.50 a doz. for the chicken eggs. I haven't decided about the guinea and duck eggs yet. Only getting one duck egg a day makes it hard to sell them by the dozen anyway. Maybe by the half dozen.
I did see at the farmers market that a dozen eggs where going for $5.00 though. I did not think to take a look at them to compare them to mine.
The hubs and I have talked about just selling them in our yard out of a cooler and people can pay by the honor system. We have many people who sell vegetables around here do that. That way we are not tied down to certain customers when production falls.
Thank you all for your thoughts.
11:29 am
April 1, 2009
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I purchase my eggs from an independant that has 3 stores in our state. I alway purchase the brown eggs, they are so very large and always fresh,( I am always amazed at the folks that dont like brown eggs.) We are paying just about $2 a dozen, which I find to be very reasonable for the size and quality of the eggs. I would like to find a local that sellers eggs from their own chickens, but have not as yet found anyone.
12:48 pm
March 9, 2011
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The price of eggs varies from place to place. What has worked best for me was checking the price at the farmers' market ($4.50/dz, and they sell out quick), pricing mine a bit lower, then I made up a little flyer with a picture of the henlys, explaining how fresh the eggs were, how the hens live, versus store-bought layers, even the names of the hens. I explain that I use good feed and that the ladies get to range about the yard. And I give the price and my contact info. That's gone out with my friends and family to their workplaces, and I sell everything the henlys can lay. People like to hear your story, and see your hens. The ones that just want cheapo eggs aren't ever going to 'get' what's different about your eggs, and they can go on down the road to Wally World. But there are more and more people who do care about what they eat and where it comes from, and they're willing to pay you a price that's fair. Mostly, make sure your costs are covered and you get something for the time and investment you have in the hens.
PS I make lots of egg-righ pound cake when the eggs are plentiful and then freeze it. It thaws well and with a bit of fruit glazed on top, makes a great dessert for guests or to take with you to someone's house when you're in a pinch. Or just eat it 'cause you love pound cake! 
7:12 am
November 15, 2008
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My brother has chickens! I made a pound cake for Mom's birthday with eggs he gave me. I was thinking of making another one,this must be a sign! :-D
8:43 pm
August 13, 2011
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Mmmm…pound cake. That is a great idea. Thank you for the suggestion. Also Merriment, I like how you "talk up" your girls and inform everyone on the benefits of buying farm fresh eggs from happy, healthy chickens. All of our girls have names and different personalities. They are treated as treasures and not like egg making robots. We put a lot of time and care for our girls and I think their eggs show it. I have had no problem selling them for $3.50 doz.
I also had someone I work with ask if our ducks were laying eggs, she saw them in our yard. She said that duck eggs make the best custard and wanted to buy 6 of them. So I guess the ducks were doing their won advertising.
5:41 pm
August 13, 2011
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Well I made two pound cakes last night. I used the recipe Suzanne added to FBR, but without the chocolate. These came out so good. I also made banana bread to have at home and to share at work.
So I used up 12 eggs, just to turn around and get almost that many this morning. I wish my pantry would automatically restock itself over night.
3:28 pm
March 22, 2010
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Buckeye Girl (or anyone else), why are duck eggs prized by bakers?
7:00 pm
February 10, 2009
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I didn't know at first, but my aunt who was an amazing baker always swore by them and kept a duck or two around all the time for special baking. She said they always made cakes rise better and made fluffier pancakes and waffles.
After looking it up later on, I found out it was because there is more protein in the whites which makes them beat up fluffier, and bake up fluffier too, and more fat in the yolks which make things taste richer.
7:52 am
October 19, 2011
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we bought two dozen organic farm fresh eggs yesterday@ 2 bucks a dozen
9:48 am
September 30, 2010
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I pay $3.50 per dozen from my egg lady in Lewiston, ID. I could get them for $2.50 from a lady I work with but she needs to get more chickens first.
10:11 am
February 4, 2011
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JoJo, here in north central NH(considering the size of our state that might not seem so important, but it is) people usually prefer brown eggs. It's a regional thing, I think. Maybe because NH Reds lay brown eggs? My hens were supposed to all lay brown eggs when I ordered them, but somehow a few white egg genes snuck in there and we have almost white eggs a lot. Just curious, how do you pack your eggs, large end up or down?
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