The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: Lee.1040 on May 26, 2021, 07:38:48 pm

Title: Selling duck eggs
Post by: Lee.1040 on May 26, 2021, 07:38:48 pm
Hello,

We have a small sheep farm but I am new to duck egg selling. We produce enough duck eggs I can sell them in my local shop. Can you tell me what information I need on the label? Do I need a best before date or a laid on date? I’m collecting and selling at the end of every week so a laid week ending date??

Thank you for advice in advance  :)
Title: Re: Selling duck eggs
Post by: Dan on May 27, 2021, 09:43:41 am
You need to provide a best before date.

There's information about hen eggs here (mostly applies to duck eggs too): https://www.accidentalsmallholder.net/livestock/poultry/selling-eggs/

UK gov guidance: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/eggs-trade-regulations

HTH.
Title: Re: Selling duck eggs
Post by: twizzel on May 27, 2021, 10:05:13 am
Be aware that duck eggs don’t keep as long as chicken eggs. I would collect and sell them fresher, more frequently.
Title: Re: Selling duck eggs
Post by: Womble on May 27, 2021, 10:13:24 am
What about washing duck eggs?  Dan, I note the TAS guide says "If you are selling eggs, you should not wash them", but even our cleanest duck eggs need a wash before use them.

If I were to wash them, does that make me an egg processing / packing centre?
:o
Title: Re: Selling duck eggs
Post by: macgro7 on May 27, 2021, 11:32:33 am
Be aware that duck eggs don’t keep as long as chicken eggs. I would collect and sell them fresher, more frequently.
If you don't wash them they will actually store longer than chicken eggs (over a month!), but the problem is 99% of the time you need to wash them...
Title: Re: Selling duck eggs
Post by: Richmond on May 27, 2021, 09:03:13 pm
I collect my duck eggs first thing each morning (ducks lay in stable overnight) and wash and dry them, then put straight into the fridge. I only sell eggs that are less than 14 days old (any species), and keep anything older for our own use. I currently have eggs in the fridge that are probably at least 6 weeks old and are still absolutely fine. If they are clean and kept in the fridge they last for ages.