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pricing
Mar 19, 2010 9:45:19 GMT -6
Post by megintn on Mar 19, 2010 9:45:19 GMT -6
For those that sell your eggs, what do you charge in your area?
Our break even is $3 a dozen since we feed certified organic feed. We chose to raise our chickens on this feed since we don't want to eat a product that has been fed genetically modified grains.
We found that most people wouldn't pay $3 so we now sell them to first time buyers at 2.75, repeat customers are charged 2.50 if they return the carton in clean condition.
We were told if we joined the new green market in Memphis (part of Slow Food Memphis), we could probably get $5 a dozen for eggs from free range, pasture raised hens fed organic grain. We can not sell them as organic eggs since we are not certified. Driving 3 hours each way plus booth fee of $28 per week, we would have to sell a whole lot of eggs to make it worth the trip, so we opted not to participate.
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Mar 19, 2010 11:29:39 GMT -6
Post by rinksgi on Mar 19, 2010 11:29:39 GMT -6
I know what you mean. I have long since given up the thought of breaking even, forget about making a profit. I probably come closer than you do,though, because even though I free range, I do buy comercial feed.I try to use other organic means to maintain their health. I know I still have a superior product in regards to store eggs. I sell mine for $1.50/doz. I figure that if I can off set the price of feed at all, the hens are at least contributing to their existance.
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8bells
Junior Member
Chickens are Revolting
Posts: 137
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pricing
Mar 19, 2010 13:23:19 GMT -6
Post by 8bells on Mar 19, 2010 13:23:19 GMT -6
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verloncox
Junior Member
Quality over quantity.
Posts: 129
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pricing
Apr 27, 2010 20:58:34 GMT -6
Post by verloncox on Apr 27, 2010 20:58:34 GMT -6
That was some in depth, confusing and very informative information 8bells. There was a section that stated, if I'm not mistaken, that vitamins couldn't be used for the birds. I use Vital all the time with my birds. Its basically a multivitamin in a package and not much different then what we would take in a One a Day vitamin. I think that the birds need it and dont want to give that up so I am out of the organic realm. I also medicate but I only medicate individual birds when they are sick and reintroduce them later on. The manure (compost) that I use on the garden where I grow vegetables for me and the birds is usually less then 60 days old. Man..............that would be a pain to get certified all organic!
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8bells
Junior Member
Chickens are Revolting
Posts: 137
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pricing
Apr 27, 2010 21:52:21 GMT -6
Post by 8bells on Apr 27, 2010 21:52:21 GMT -6
From my investigations, there is nobody in TN that does the certifying...you would have to pay travel/per diem (and probably a car rental) to the inspector that flew in to check your farm...and it takes several years before approval (with annual inspections along the way). Unless you were planning to make a living off of a full time operation, I just cannot see the justification of expenses. An easier/cheaper way out is through "Certified Naturally Grown" No three year wait, no huge expenses (but the same standards). More info: www.naturallygrown.org/
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verloncox
Junior Member
Quality over quantity.
Posts: 129
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pricing
Apr 30, 2010 11:05:28 GMT -6
Post by verloncox on Apr 30, 2010 11:05:28 GMT -6
I agree with you, it sounds like the "Certified Naturally Grown" route is the way to go but I doubt if many in the area would even be interested in it honestly. I have seen hen houses in the area that charged .75 cents a dozen and the places were so dirty that I would have paid people ten dollars not to bring the eggs on the property. I think that more people need to know where their food is coming from. I also think that in the very near future (when gas prices begin to climb again) that a lot more people will be raising their own chickens and eggs..................
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8bells
Junior Member
Chickens are Revolting
Posts: 137
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pricing
Apr 30, 2010 14:53:16 GMT -6
Post by 8bells on Apr 30, 2010 14:53:16 GMT -6
Home chicken/egg raising has seen huge expansion in recent years. Many people have given up on the tasteless eggs sold in supermarkets. Companies that sell home packets of vegetable seeds are also reporting booming sales. As prices soar, more and more people are re-discovering the fresh taste of home-grown. If the general population actually saw the conditions in a commercial "egg factory", demand would be so high that we would have trouble finding available hens for sale.
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Jun 9, 2010 12:50:39 GMT -6
Post by cks4me on Jun 9, 2010 12:50:39 GMT -6
I guess I live in vacuum here....I can not get people to buy my eggs. When I mention that I sell eggs they ignore it or say it is quicker to go to the store. Where do you guys sell your eggs??
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Jun 9, 2010 13:11:51 GMT -6
Post by rinksgi on Jun 9, 2010 13:11:51 GMT -6
I sell at work,church,Hubby's work(but he keeps the money,lol) and at feed stores.
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