This month

Gear for selling eggs

Egg cartons, flats, scales, cleaning brushes, roll-out nest boxes, nest pads and farm-stand signs for small egg sellers, with a reminder that egg rules vary by state.

Coops 10Feed & supplements 1Health, safety & cleaning 5Eggs, books & gifts 18
Labelled egg cartons and open dozens of brown eggs on a market table
Photo: Missvain, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Selling eggs from a small flock

Selling eggs from a backyard flock is legal in most states, but the details change at every state line. The federal FDA Egg Safety Rule applies to farms with 3,000 or more laying hens; smaller sellers mostly follow state rules on cleaning, refrigeration, labeling, carton reuse and where you can sell. Some states exempt small producers up to a weekly or monthly limit; others require registration for every seller. Check your state department of agriculture first, then read how to sell eggs locally.

Rules vary by stateCommon requirements include clean, uncracked eggs; refrigeration (often at 45°F or below); new or blank cartons; and a label with your name, address and sometimes "ungraded" or a safe-handling statement. Confirm the exact wording for your state.Source: FDA Egg Safety Rule, 21 CFR 118

Coops

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Health, safety & cleaning

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Eggs, books & gifts

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Feed and egg cost calculatorType your bag price and size, flock size and eggs per week: see feed per day, how long a bag lasts, monthly…

Clean eggs start in the nest box

Clean nests mean fewer eggs to wash. Roll-out nest boxes tip the egg away from the hen into a covered tray, so eggs stay cleaner and do not get pecked. Fresh nest pads or shavings help too. Collect at least once a day. If an egg needs cleaning, a dry brush or a light rinse with water warmer than the egg, followed by refrigeration, is the usual advice (USDA FSIS).

Cartons, scales and the farm stand

Blank pulp cartons are the safe choice when your state does not allow reusing branded ones. An egg scale sorts eggs into size grades if you sell by size; the Kuhl Jiffy-Way is a classic mechanical grader, and a 0.1 g digital scale works too. A clear yard sign and a cooler at the stand finish the setup.

Price your eggs from your own numbers. The feed and egg cost calculator works out feed cost per dozen from your bag price and flock size. For storage and freshness, see egg freshness and washing.

Hands and eggsEggshells can carry Salmonella. Wash hands after collecting and packing eggs, and keep cracked or dirty eggs out of cartons you sell (CDC).Source: CDC Healthy Pets

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Selling eggs: questions

Can I sell eggs from my backyard chickens?
In most states, yes, within limits. Small flocks are exempt from the FDA Egg Safety Rule, but your state may require registration, labeling, refrigeration and new cartons. Check your state department of agriculture.
Do I have to refrigerate eggs I sell?
Most states require refrigeration for eggs sold to the public, often at 45°F or below. Rules for unwashed eggs vary.
Can I reuse egg cartons to sell eggs?
Many states do not allow reusing cartons printed with another brand. Blank cartons avoid the problem.
Should I wash eggs before selling them?
Follow your state's rule. If you wash, use water warmer than the egg and refrigerate afterward (USDA FSIS).
How many hens do I need to sell eggs?
Laying varies by breed, age and season, and drops in winter and during molt. Count your own flock's eggs for a few weeks before you promise customers a weekly supply.