Want to sell eggs from backyard chickens in Kansas? You can, but there are requirements
As prices are still high around the country, you might seek alternative means to get eggs.
Whether that means buying eggs from a local farmer or getting a chicken yourself, there are certain requirements you should be aware of.
Here are Kansas’ laws regarding the sale eggs and what to know before you get started.
To the end customer
If you’re selling ungraded eggs straight to the consumer, no license is required in Kansas.
However, there are some requirements if you sell eggs from a personal flock sized at 51 to 250 hens. They include:
- Wash and prepackage the eggs
- Label the container “ungraded”
- Label the container with your name and address
- Keep eggs at 45 degrees Fahrenheit or colder
You can not reuse cartons unless all previous branding is removed, according to state guidelines.
If you sell from a flock of less than 51 hens, there are no requirements to follow.
Someone else other than end customer
If you’re selling eggs to anyone but the end customer, a license is required. The Kansas Department of Agriculture enforces the Kansas Egg Law, which requires sellers to have an egg producer license in order to sell graded eggs.
The fee to obtain a license is $5 and needs to be obtained annually as each license expires Dec. 31. The license application can be filled out and submitted online.
In addition to the license fee, you also have to pay an egg inspection fee, which is $.0035 per dozen eggs. The fee can either be paid quarterly or per dozen. A minimum fee of $15.00 per quarter is required.
Every container of graded eggs in Kansas has to include the following information:
- The size and quality of eggs
- The identity of eggs, if they do not come from a chicken
- Name and address
- The date of packaging
- Expiration date
- Handling instructions
This story was originally published February 23, 2023 at 4:43 AM.
