I have been "pasturing" my laying hens. I have a portable hen house and fence system which I move around daily - the idea being to give the birds access to fresh vegetation (vitamins/minerals) daily which will add to the nurishment of the eggs. This is my first flock and they are still young and not laying eggs yet.
There is controversy over selling farm-fresh eggs because many farmers use "used" egg cartons. My idea is to purchase new egg cartons and charge an extra bit, like 25 cents for the carton, and leave it up to the consumer to bring them back and re-use them, or get a new one. If I charge 2 dollars per dozen, for 2.25/doz you can get a new carton, OR you can refill your old one for the 2.00. Would you appreciate this kind of marketing, or would it be a waste of my time as an egg farmer??
2006-06-15 16:01:53 · 11 answers · asked by adashlldoya 1 in Food & Drink ➔ Other - Food & Drink
I think you ROCK!!! I wish all farmers cared as much as you do. I live in Chicago and pay 2.69 for cage free vegetarian fed hens. I would definitely buy!
2006-06-15 16:15:39 · answer #1 · answered by ~jenjen~ 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It sounds reasonable. But honestly I've never heard of any controversy about used egg cartons. I buy my eggs from a neighboring farm and I get used cartons (I return the cartons when I buy more eggs).
The eggs I buy have been washed, so I don't worry about that. If I got eggs which looked unclean, I'd wash them and not have to worry about contamination.
There are no doubt people who would prefer (even demand) new cartons...and no doubt people like me, who don't worry. So, maybe you could offer eggs in a new carton for $2.25, and eggs in a recycled carton for $2.00.
Good luck, I wish I lived near enough to buy your eggs. I would.
2006-06-15 16:11:25 · answer #2 · answered by artistagent116 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well depending on where you live, but 2.25 is a bit expensive, and hope you have a rooster, or the hens won't lay. They need oyster shell to even as you are moving them about, and they also need a coup to lay as well. Its the bacteria that can get into cracked eggs, even the tiniest crack, that you must worry about, egg factories use a light system to inspect eggs for micro cracks and signs of embryonic yolks.
2006-06-15 16:14:28 · answer #3 · answered by pirate 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would and I'd be the kind of person to bring back the carton as long as it lasted. However, in NY, we don't pay that much for eggs, even when they are farm-fresh.
2006-06-15 16:06:42 · answer #4 · answered by Cindy R 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that is reasonable. We buy farm fresh eggs now and pay $2.00/dozen. We re-use the cartons, but I think that it is a good idea to offer fresh one for the more finicky customer. Good luck.
2006-06-15 16:06:10 · answer #5 · answered by Leela13 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
NOT true about hens needing a rooster to lay eggs. Sorry boys. They do just fine without a man.
And, about washing eggs. Don't do it until you are ready to use them. They have a protective coating. Actually, they don't even have to be refrigerated if they are not washed. This is proven true.
Good luck
2006-06-15 16:20:13 · answer #6 · answered by lianasea 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds good to me as well!!! What is wrong with using used egg cartons anyway???
2006-06-15 16:12:31 · answer #7 · answered by winona e 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
when i was raising chickens and selling eggs i had a freind that saved there egg cartons and they give them to me raing chickens can run into some money just be careful
2006-06-21 22:36:03 · answer #8 · answered by Neil G 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like you are on the right track. Make sure you candle your eggs so that you don't sell an egg that is mostly chick inside.
2006-06-15 16:05:33 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like a decent idea. What the hell, try it. good luck
2006-06-15 16:05:08 · answer #10 · answered by Biker 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋