Most backyard chicken keepers keep just enough chickens to supply eggs for their families. However, there are a good number of us who fell victim to chicken math and have a much larger flock than we first planned. With 40 chickens, I have more than enough eggs to feed our family and then some! So, what do we do with our extra eggs? We sometimes gift them and sometimes sell them. It’s an easy way to make a couple extra bucks and is a fun little business activity on the side.
“Happy” and I hanging out. Happy hens lay lots of eggs!
Understanding State Regulations for Selling Eggs
Before you start selling your eggs, it's important to understand your state’s regulations regarding egg sales from backyard flocks. Each state has its own rules about licensing, inspections, and egg cleanliness.
For example, in Minnesota, it’s perfectly legal to sell my eggs without a license or inspection as long as my flock is under 3,000. Even with my love for chickens, I can guarantee I’ll never have that many! Haha! Your state’s Department of Agriculture lays out the specifics and I highly encourage you to read through them.
Minnesota Egg Sales Guidelines
According to the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, I can happily sell my eggs as long as they are, “clean and free of debris prior to sale." Dry cleaning your eggs with an abrasive material such as sandpaper is generally recommended. Wet cleaning using rags, sponges, or other devices to scrub or wipe by hand is prohibited.” And, as we all know, if you need to clean/wash your eggs, they need to be refrigerated after that.
Personally, I collect my eggs frequently to keep them clean and avoid the need for refrigeration. This ensures I can sell fresh eggs right from my roadside stand without hassle.
Setting Up Your Own Roadside Egg Stand
So, if you decide to have a cute little roadside egg stand, what are some ways to do this? I have searched the internet and have dreamed about repurposing a piece of furniture or even building a small stand for the end of our driveway. I’ll attach some of my favorites here. But, for now, I just set up a little table with a pretty tablecloth and some signage and have had great results!
I live in a great neighborhood where the people are very trustworthy. I leave my eggs, a sign explaining that I take Venmo, Apple Pay or cash. I also say that I don’t give change, so if their bill is bigger, it’s a tip for me. If they don’t have enough cash, it’s a gift from me. I also leave a basket so they can return clean egg cartons. I will deliver eggs as well, but really wanted to avoid a lot of extra time on the road doing that. The roadside stand has helped with that!
Our kids selling garden produce and eggs. They love doing this!
Creative Roadside Egg Stand Ideas
If you’re interested in taking your roadside stand to the next level, there are plenty of creative ideas out there. I’ve found several adorable designs online and dream about having my husband build one someday! For now, my simple setup works perfectly.
This cute little stand is by our friend, Lisa, over at Fresh Eggs Daily
You can find step by step instructions for this cute one! I like it because it’s on wheels for easy moving.
Making Your Egg Sales Fun and Successful
Whatever setup you choose, the key is to keep things clean, simple, and easy to use. Be sure to follow your state’s guidelines and offer a smooth buying experience for your customers. Farm-fresh eggs are so much better than store-bought ones, and once people try them, they’re likely to come back for more!
Whether you’re selling from a roadside stand or delivering eggs to neighbors, make it a fun and rewarding experience. After all, happy customers are loyal customers, and there’s nothing like sharing fresh, delicious eggs with your community.
Until next time,
--The Wing Lady