Small-Flock fresh egg supplier

Neighbours, local households, small cafes and bakeries, and shoppers at community markets or farm gate stalls.

Price per dozen or half dozen, sold by regular weekly orders, an honesty box or market stall. Cafes and bakeries may buy larger regular quantities.

• Looking after hens daily
• Reliable routine, including weekends
• Basic record keeping and customer service

• Council rules on poultry numbers, roosters, noise and home-based business approval
• Your state's egg rules: many states require registration or labelling once you pass certain flock sizes or sell beyond direct sales, so check with your state food or primary industries authority
• Food safety: clean, cool storage and not selling cracked or dirty eggs
• Bird flu (avian influenza) biosecurity and any movement or reporting rules in your state
• Foxes, snakes and other predators, and hens laying less in winter and with age

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $800 to $4,000, depending on flock size, coop and fencing, feed and cartons. Predator-proofing your setup can also affect the total.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $200 to $1,000, depending on flock size, how many customers you have and the season. Hens can lay less in winter and as they age, so revenue can vary.

Check your council's rules on poultry numbers, roosters, noise and home-based business approval. Also check your state's egg registration and labelling rules, food safety for storage, and avian influenza biosecurity and reporting requirements.