[novicesmallholder]

Heloooooooooooo again all,

reading with interest the article re selling free range eggs - who and what we can sell to.

Taking one step back, we are getting our chucks very soon and want to sell from the gate, but on/in what? (

Any recommendations to any wooden/structure we can use - or suppliers etc. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Mark

[winshamrarebreeds]

You can sell eggs from the gate as long at they are for their own purposes,  you cannot sell to anyone who will pass them on to a third party,  ie bed and breakfast, hotels, catering outlets, 

As long as your chickens are vaccinated then you can sell,  we just put ours in a wooden box  with a lid on so that the magpies dont get them and put an honesty box inside with a small price list for chicken, duck etc.

[shetlandpaul]

as long as you don't know its not you fault it would be the b&bs fault. the producer can not be blamed for the unlawful use that someone else puts them to. you can sell to friends and family and at doors and farmers markets. i would aim at friends and family first. and get or make a light box you can spot cracks that you would have missed by eye.

[harry]

any eggs in any commercial premisis, cafes bbs etc must be stamped so the food inspector can tell. but thats up to the cafe owner.

[Pigginshelly]

We have an inn, which offers both food and bed and breakfast. My Health inspector has given permission to use eggs from my chickens, as long as they are vaccinated, the eggs are clean and I tell my customers! It took s while to get to that, at first she said no! I know it is a little "off topic!" just thought it might be of interest with regard the commercial usage and selling to.

Shelly

[jameslindsay]

We have an inn, which offers both food and bed and breakfast. My Health inspector has given permission to use eggs from my chickens, as long as they are vaccinated, the eggs are clean and I tell my customers! It took s while to get to that, at first she said no! I know it is a little "off topic!" just thought it might be of interest with regard the commercial usage and selling to.

Shelly

Hi Shelly, I hope that you have this in writing. I accept nothing from the Council unless it is in writing as it just takes another "jobs worth" to come along and disagree and then you don't have a leg too stand on. Surely if the law says you can't sell your eggs for public consumption no council worker can over ride that law. I would think they are "bending the rules" as they personally don't have a problem with it, if this makes sense. Personally I think it is a silly rule in the first place.

[Pigginshelly]

Hi James

Yes in writing, I agree spoken word is not worth the breath. By all accounts it is down to due diligence and traceability. As long as I keep records, do not use eggs if hens become ill and inform the end user (ie my customer) I can use them. I have not asked her if I could supplement them from the guy who sells at his gate down the road (because I do not have access to his records I doubt it). So we supplement from the farm shop, whose eggs are stamped. Our customers love the idea that they can meet the hens that have laid their eggs.

Thank you for your concern.

Shelly

[shetlandpaul]

mmm your local council maybe happy but if one of your customers were to become sick because of one of the un stamped eggs i bet your insurance and defra and any one of the many government Dept's would hold you guilty. get registered as a packing unit its not difficult and then your covered.

[Pigginshelly]

What is involved with registering as a packing unit?

[winshamrarebreeds]

Hi,

We are in North Devon and I have a friend that runs a B&B and she is not allowed to sell her own eggs even though her chickens are vaccinated and live organically, different areas and different councils i suppose

regards Joy

[shetlandpaul]

What is involved with registering as a packing unit?

up here in Scotland we went to environmental health got the forms sent them in to the egg folks in Edinburgh and then we were inspected by the egg board and environmental health. it really is easy. you do need to keep records if your going to sell to commercial people. you will need a light box /candler scales and a cool storage place thats away from animals. the bird condition's need to conform to there standards as in perch space nest boxes. and it cost us nothing.

[Pigginshelly]

What is involved with registering as a packing unit?

up here in Scotland we went to environmental health got the forms sent them in to the egg folks in Edinburgh and then we were inspected by the egg board and environmental health. it really is easy. you do need to keep records if your going to sell to commercial people. you will need a light box /candler scales and a cool storage place thats away from animals. the bird condition's need to conform to there standards as in perch space nest boxes. and it cost us nothing.

Thank you. I will get onto them. Although I am not planning on selling as such, just using in my recipes and meals.

Hi,

We are in North Devon and I have a friend that runs a B&B and she is not allowed to sell her own eggs even though her chickens are vaccinated and live organically, different areas and different councils i suppose

regards Joy

Our environmental health officer was very helpful. As I said initially she said she didn't think so, but did some research and said it was ok as long as I stuck to the guidelines she gave me. I do not think they would be happy if I was selling half a dozen along side a pint, but to use in the kitchen it is ok.
 

[shetlandpaul]

i think she was trying to be helpful but it could leave you open.