Selling eggs... organic, free range, etc

[Lemon-Drop]

I plan to start selling my eggs in the summer, once all my girls start laying. I will feed organic feed, and they free range occasionally.

I have 16 chickens of mixed ages and breeds.

My two main questions are:

Do I have to be certified organic if I want to sell as “organic?” Like if I have “Fresh, organic eggs” on the title, do I have to be certified?

I found this when I was researching:

Does that mean not getting 5000$ From selling the eggs, or does that include household income as well?

I also want to say “free range” on my eggs...

I live on a little less than an acre of land. They free range occasionally, usually 5 times a week. Right now they are not free ranging as much because the little ones are still quite young. I have to watch them all the time while they are free ranging because I have lots of predators in my area.

So my question is, how much space do they need to be “free range?”

Their run that they have access to during daytime, from when I let them out at 7 am to when I lock them up at 8:30 pm. (Earlier in winter) is 750 square feet, equaling a little less than 50 feet per bird in the run. (Approximately 46 feet)

Would this qualify as free range?

I am planning on selling 2-3 dozen a week, (I still need some eggs for my self)

so would plan on mostly having a few regular customers. If I’m getting more eggs I might put a sign out on the road to advertise.

I am mostly planning on selling the eggs to pay for feed. Feed is pretty expensive (about 50+ a month, especially for organic)

Thanks! Sorry That this is so many questions.

 

[Isadora]

When I sell the duck eggs, I just say that my ducks are fed organic feed, That way I don't have to worry about getting certification so it can be labeled "organic" eggs.
And honestly, as far as your other questions, I have found that with a lot of people who aren't familiar with animals, that they don't actually know what the terms like farm fresh, organic, free range, even mean! For example, I went over to a friend's house after church and she was showing me her chickens. She had told me that they are basically organic, free-range eggs that she brought to church every week. When we were looking in the coop, I saw the bags of feed she had in the corner and they were just generic feed, not even non-GMO... So definitely not organic! As far as free range, she does usually let them out each day so I can give her that. My point is, I'm not sure you need to worry so much about putting specific labels on them unless there is an explanation to accompany it since there is a lack of education in this area.
Right now I just sell my eggs to my neighbor and she honestly doesn't really care about the organic stuff, she's just happy my ducks have a huge pen and are healthy.

 

[Lemon-Drop]

When I sell the duck eggs, I just say that my ducks are fed organic feed, That way I don't have to worry about getting certification so it can be labeled "organic" eggs.
And honestly, as far as your other questions, I have found that with a lot of people who aren't familiar with animals, that they don't actually know what the terms like farm fresh, organic, free range, even mean! For example, I went over to a friend's house after church and she was showing me her chickens. She had told me that they are basically organic, free-range eggs that she brought to church every week. When we were looking in the coop, I saw the bags of feed she had in the corner and they were just generic feed, not even non-GMO... So definitely not organic! As far as free range, she does usually let them out each day so I can give her that. My point is, I'm not sure you need to worry so much about putting specific labels on them unless there is an explanation to accompany it since there is a lack of education in this area.
Right now I just sell my eggs to my neighbor and she honestly doesn't really care about the organic stuff, she's just happy my ducks have a huge pen and are healthy.

Thank you!

 

[Brooks_]

Yes, you must be certified. As stated, you can skirt that with "organically" , but to claim full organic, a third party audit is needed.

 

[Lemon-Drop]

Yes, you must be certified. As stated, you can skirt that with "organically" , but to claim full organic, a third party audit is needed.

Thanks! I wasn’t really sure with what I had researched and small “organic farms” but can I say “fed organic?”

 

[Brooks_]

Thanks! I wasn’t really sure with what I had researched and small “organic farms” but can I say “fed organic?”

Provided that you have, you should be able to say that. The full organic label is much more than feed alone. Likewise, free range means more than a few hours a day, or not. Most definitions are loose, but organic is firm. If you have fed them organic feed and have records/receipts, you should easily be able to say/claim fed organically.

 

[Lemon-Drop]

Provided that you have, you should be able to say that. The full organic label is much more than feed alone. Likewise, free range means more than a few hours a day, or not. Most definitions are loose, but organic is firm. If you have fed them organic feed and have records/receipts, you should easily be able to say/claim fed organically.

Thanks... who on earth would say "fed organic" when they're not?

 

[Brooks_]

Thanks... who on earth would say "fed organic" when they're not?

IDK. I've seen several CL ads for eggs that claim organic, and I doubt that they are.

I think it's more confusion on their part, that a non-battery hen = organic.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I would avoid any misleading wording, no reason to skirt the laws and then have to deal with a lawsuit/fines/whatnot.

You do not have organic eggs. You feed organic feed, it's not the same. You can probably label something like "eggs come from chickens fed organically and raised with backyard access," which avoids any terminology that would be regulated.

Also check with the state or local regulations on what can or cannot be on packaging, as well as what requirements there are for selling in general. Some states are very loose about it, others are strict (must use new cartons, must be under X amt of eggs sold or need licensing, etc). In some states you can't use the word "fresh" without certification. I don't know what WA's laws are.

 

[Lemon-Drop]

Would I be classified as "On farm sales" or 'Off farm sales"? I would be selling the eggs either from my house, or if I had regular customers I would hand deliver. I will probably be selling 2/3 dozen eggs a week. (screenshot from Washington agriculture site on eggs)