Selling and sharing backyard eggs

Regardless of how many chickens you have, if you intend to sell or give away eggs produced on your property, you have a legal obligation to ensure your eggs are food safe.

If you have 50 or more birds, you must mark individual chicken eggs with a unique identification code (egg stamp code) before distributing them. If you keep a flock of less than 50 birds and sell or give away your eggs, we highly recommend that you obtain an egg stamp. Egg stamps allow eggs to be traced if there is a food safety risk.

In Victoria, a property identification code (PIC) is used to register and provide producers and backyard poultry owners their egg stamp code. A PIC enables Agriculture Victoria to contact and assist you in the event of a fire, flood or animal disease outbreak, such as avian influenza (bird flu). You must have a PIC if you have 50 or more poultry on your property. PICs are free and easy to obtain through Agriculture Victoria. For information and to apply for a PIC, visit Application for a Property Identification Code (PIC).

If you are selling or giving away eggs, always use new cartons or keep reused cartons clean and away from birds. Be aware that there are legal restrictions to using corporate-branded cartons without permission.

For more information see:

• Producing safe eggs at home
• Complying with the egg production standard
• Egg safety awareness