What number of laying hens triggers mandatory FA?

[pellow]

I'm going to try some free range hens to sell gate eggs, I have quite a busy road outside the farm, does anyone know the numbers of birds allowed before regulation gets heavy, I'd like to keep 200 birds maybe 300

I know over 50 birds means you need to register as a poultry keeper

Thanks

 

[ridger]

Interested to know because if I had bought 800 hens 20 years ago, I'm still selling the same amount of eggs and have paid out a lot of money for eggs since

 

[Dry Rot]

Who counts them? Conjures up images of Dad's Army counting the turkeys! And what if they are in several ownerships but kept in the same flock? Ooh, I love playing with red tape!

 

[Chickcatcher]

I'm going to try some free range hens to sell gate eggs, I have quite a busy road outside the farm, does anyone know the numbers of birds allowed before regulation gets heavy, I'd like to keep 200 birds maybe 300

I know over 50 birds means you need to register as a poultry keeper

Thanks

Why not do as a close neighbour of mine has done. (just beside the A10 Sandon Junction on Buntingford bypass)
lovely little wooden market cart set up and selling free range eggs that are bought in from elsewhere. I hve seen customers taking as many as 3 trays (90) of eggs at a time. Some one I know was a customer and was convinced that the stall holder had there own hens out the back! Oh and the best bit is they are selling at £3/dozen. All set up with lighting for dark times and cameras for the none payers who are then displayed for all to see. It really is a "Location Location" Set up

 

[pellow]

Why not do as a close neighbour of mine has done. (just beside the A10 Sandon Junction on Buntingford bypass)
lovely little wooden market cart set up and selling free range eggs that are bought in from elsewhere. I hve seen customers taking as many as 3 trays (90) of eggs at a time. Some one I know was a customer and was convinced that the stall holder had there own hens out the back! Oh and the best bit is they are selling at £3/dozen. All set up with lighting for dark times and cameras for the none payers who are then displayed for all to see. It really is a "Location Location" Set up

Yeah probably going to start with selling on some eggs from my cousin who has a large operation to build up trade,

I'm quite keen to have the hens near the stall so people can see where their eggs come from and put a camera in the house with a monitor in the stall, try to connect people with the hens and show there's nothing to hide

 

[Agrivator]

Copied from Govt website. But it might be prudent to test for Salmonella even if you don't need to - just so you can show due diligence in case one of your customers blames your eggs for a bout of the squits.


Who must take samples and test
You must take samples if you produce eggs on a commercial basis.

You’ll be prosecuted or fined if you do not get your egg-laying hens tested as described in this guide. A fine can range from £100 to £4,500.

Your flock does not need testing if one of the following apply:

• all production is for private domestic use (the eggs are not entering the market)
• the premises has fewer than 350 hens and supplies the consumer direct (such as through farm-gate sales or local retailers)