Free-range egg farm on rural land

Farmers markets shoppers, independent grocers, cafes, restaurants and local food co-ops.

Selling graded and packed eggs by the dozen or in trays, with higher prices for free-range or pasture-raised eggs. Margins depend on feed, flock health and reliable buyers.

• Livestock management
• Basic bookkeeping
• Sales and relationship building
• Physical fitness for daily farm work

• Planning permits and zoning for poultry sheds, and neighbour concerns about noise or smell, check with your council
• Egg food safety, registration, labelling and traceability rules differ by state, check yours
• Free-range claims must meet the labelling standard, check the current requirements before using the term
• Avian influenza and biosecurity, an outbreak can shut down sales
• Workers compensation insurance if you hire help, plus public liability and farm insurance
• Heat, predators and feed price swings affect profits
• Costs above assume you already own or lease suitable land; buying land would add substantially to the total

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around $200,000 to $800,000, depending on your setup and flock size. This assumes you already own or lease suitable land; buying land would add substantially to the total.

Estimates suggest monthly revenue is typically around $8,000 to $35,000, depending on flock size, sales channels and prices. Heat, predators and feed price swings can affect profits, so plan for them.

Check planning permits and zoning for poultry sheds with your council, and state egg food safety, registration, labelling and traceability rules. Check the current labelling standard before using the term free-range, and avian influenza biosecurity requirements.