#mini farm

[theantiquefairy]

🍎🧺🪻🐌

[candidly-trying]

[urban-homesteading]

How to make money from a Mini Farm: a mini series

Due to the popularity of my post on how to make money from your mini farm, I’ve decided to go point by point and expand on each one

Selling eggs for eating

1) Hens only, roosters forbidden

If you selling eggs for consumption, they will be easiest to sell if they are unfertilized.  This is what the consumer market is used to, and some people are grossed out by eating what could become a chick. Though studies are unclear if eating fertilized eggs is any different than eating sterile eggs, some studies do show that there are more amino acids in fertilized eggs.  You could easily market your fertilized eggs as free roaming hens living a natural fulfilled life and sell these eggs to people who are willing to pay more for their eggs to come from happy hens.

2) Know your laws

Egg laws are different from state to state.  You’ll need to be sure to check the regulations for your particular area and comply with them.  You can see a comprehensive list of each states laws governing selling eggs on the National Egg Regulatory Officials website – NERO.

3) Keep track of how many eggs your hens produce

It’s good to have an average weekly egg count.  Knowing your average and your personal use will let you determine how many eggs you’ll have to sell each week. Traditionally, eggs are sold by the dozen or half dozen.

4) Packaging your eggs

You have a few options when it comes to packaging your eggs; but again be sure you comply with the regulations for your state.  First, you can put your eggs in containers similar to those you find in stores.  As an environmentally friendly blog, I recommend that you ask friends or family for egg cartons or post on Craigslist or Facebook marketplace requesting used, clean cartons.  You could also ask your buyers to bring their own containers and offer a discount if they do. 

5) What to call your eggs

When you are selling eggs you need to know egg terminology. Hens can be cage-free – still contained in a specific area.  Or free-range – given nearly limitless access to plants, bugs, dirt, etc.  Then you have to consider the feed offered. What about organic?  Soy free? You’ll need to decide where your eggs fit in.  Remember your hens are not free-ranging chickens just because they are not in a cage. The pricing of your eggs can vary a great deal, depending on the options you offer.

6) Pricing

In Phoenix, organic, free-range, soy-free eggs go for $7-$8 a dozen at the Farmer’s Market; and they sold out.  But you’ll need to do some market research.  Start with your local stores, farmer’s markets and then check ads on Craigslist or local Facebook groups.  Make sure you’re pricing with the market.

But remember if you’re offering a superior product you can charge more, but you’ll need to back that up with the reasoning.  People love to see where their food comes from.  Keep pictures of your hens and I encourage you to make a Facebook business page for your hens so that people can click through the photos and see that you’re not just all talk.  It helps to have a picture of their feed bag available so people can see the ingredients and quality.

7) Finding your customers

Start with those you know.  Put an offer out on your Facebook or Instagram with what you have available.  You might consider a Craigslist ad or putting up a flyer in a local community area. If you have a lot of eggs you might consider renting space at a local farmer’s market – but you will need to adjust your prices to cover your expenses.

8) Growing your business

So what do you do if selling eggs is taking off and your hens can’t keep up? Well you can limit your orders and keep a waiting list for future clients if someone decides to stop buying.  You can always consider adding girls to your flock – but weigh out the profit to expense and time for care.  Remember that although they have a reputation for being stupid, chickens are living creatures who feel happiness, fear, excitement, and sadness.  Make sure your hens are all well cared for before increasing your flock just for profit. If you are starting to get stretched thin, you can always set up hens with friends who would like eggs in payment for caring for a few chickens in their space; they get their set amount of eggs for the work and you get the rest to sell.

[roadkill-angel]

[thestandard]

We’ve launched the world’s FIRST EVER in-hotel mushroom farm located above the bar at Café Standard at The Standard, East Village. Thanks to Smallhold’s minifarms, you can now watch these shrooms grow right before your eyes while enjoying one of our signature cocktails. 🍄🔮👀  

Read more: http://bit.ly/2urwGrR

📸: @dmalosh

[messy-roots]

I lived in South Carolina from July 2016 through April 2017.. we had some really cute goats on our little farm and of course I had to spoil them rotten.

[theantiquefairy]

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[theantiquefairy]

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