Whats the healthiest eggs to choose!?!

Wow, have you ever noticed how many different terms there are for eggs? From Caged to Cage Free, Free Ranged to pasture raised, it can be overwhelming! But fear not, because we're about to dive in and explore the exciting world of egg terminology

Caged

Cage eggs are produced from hens that are housed in cages inside large, climate-controlled sheds. The modern structures generally have multiple tiers, with a conveyor belt between each level to catch and remove manure automatically. On average, each caged laying hen is afforded only 67 square inches of cage space—less space than a single sheet of letter-sized paper on which to live her entire life. Unable even to spread their wings, caged laying hens are among the most intensively confined animals in agribusiness.

Cage Free

Cage-free hens are able to walk, spread their wings and lay their eggs in nests, vital natural behaviors denied to hens confined in cages. Most cage-free hens live in very large flocks that can consist of many thousands of hens who never go outside. USDA states "they must be produced by hens housed in a building, room, or enclosed area that allows for unlimited access to food, water, and provides the freedom to roam within the area during the laying cycle.” These hens, too, are killed once their laying cycles are through.

Free Ranged

USDA requires that egg producers be able to demonstrate that "free range" egg layers have access to the outdoors, though there is no government oversight as to the quality of the external environment, or the amount of time the hen has access to it.

flock of chickens in open grassy field_.jpg

Pasture Raised eggs!

We have pasture raised eggs on our farm, our chickens sleep in their chicken house at night, but are allowed to roam freely throughout the farm during the day. They are protected from outside dangers by our lovely livestock guardian dogs. "Certified Humane" defines pasture raised as each hen was given 108 square feet of outdoor space, as well as barn space indoors.

Now lets take a look at what makes our pasture raised eggs so much better for you and other common questions about eggs

Pasture raised eggs are healthier

Cracking The Health Benefits of Pasture Raised Eggs- By Allen Williams, Ph.D.

""An egg produced by a laying hen raised on pasture is a self-contained nutrient powerhouse. It is hard for any single food to match the nutrient density in a pasture-raised egg. We all know that egg whites are loaded with protein and essential amino acids, but are you aware of the incredible nutritional value of egg yolks?

Egg yolks from pasture-raised eggs…

Have significantly higher levels of folate and vitamin B12.
Have far more choline than commercially produced eggs.
- Choline is a B vitamin that is crucial in brain development.
- It plays an important role in muscle control and memory.
- Choline is necessary for cell membrane health.
- Choline has strong anti-inflammatory properties.
- About 90% of the U.S. population is deficient in choline.
- As many as 95% of pregnant women are choline deficient.
- Our bodies can only synthesize small amounts of choline, so getting it in our diet is vital.
- A single egg yolk contains about 215 mg of choline.
Are rich in vitamins A, D, E and K. Much of this richness is not found in egg whites.
- Compared to commercial eggs, pastured-raised eggs have:
  - 2-3 times more vitamin A
  - Three times more vitamin E
  - Significantly higher in vitamins D and K.
- Have 2-3 times more omega-3 fatty acids and a far better Omega-6 to Omega-3 ratio.
- Also contain significant amounts of lutein and zeaxanthin.
  - Both are carotenoids.
  - Lutein is functional in the macular pigment in our eyes. It protects our central vision and aids in blue light absorption.
  - Lutein helps the retina of our eyes maintain detailed central vision.
  - Zeaxanthin is an antioxidant carotenoid found in the retina of both eyes and helps to properly absorb excess photon energy and quench free-radicals before they damage the lipid membranes in our eyes.
  - Together Lutein and Zeaxanthin are crucial for vision health.
- Are rich in the minerals calcium and cooper.

Research on the Benefits of Egg Yolks

A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed that eating eggs and egg yolks was not associated with an increased risk of coronary artery disease. Even with carriers of the ApoE4 gene, which makes people highly susceptible to heart disease. To the contrary, research shows that dietary cholesterol from egg yolks actually increases HDL cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein), which is the good form of cholesterol. HDL cholesterol actually helps remove excess arterial plaque and keeps arteries clean.

How can you find healthy eggs?

The key to finding true pasture-raised eggs is to buy from a local, trusted source. When purchasing eggs from a supermarket grocery store, you need to be aware that labels can be deceptive. The USDA approved labels for “Pasture-Raised,” “Free-Range” and “Cage Free” can be deceiving. Most of the time this simply means the chickens have access to the outdoors, but rarely actually go outdoors. Most are in static houses that are not movable.""

Our chickens have our entire property to roam, most of the nutrients the chickens need to produce healthy eggs comes from the plants they forage on and the insects and worms they eat. Only chickens that are moved frequently, on pasture, have this ability. In short, cracking the nutritional potential of pasture-raised eggs comes down to knowing what your food ate, and then making your purchasing decisions accordingly.

Is there a difference in different colored eggs?

Eggs come in a variety of colors, from white to brown and even blues greens and pinks!

Different colored eggs come from different breeds of chickens. The color of the eggshell is determined by the genetics of the hen. However, the nutritional value of the eggs is the same regardless of the color of the shell. Every hen has 1 color she will lay her whole life.

How old are your eggs?

Whats the difference between store bought eggs and buying the straight from the farm?

By law, an egg can be sold for up to 30 days after the date it was put in the carton. And farmers have up to 30 days to go from when the egg is laid to the carton. That means those supermarket eggs can legally be two months old by the time you buy them. When you get them from your local farmer the can be day old!

Washed vs Unwashed

Do Fresh Eggs Need to Be Refrigerated?

“The need to refrigerate fresh eggs depends on where you live and how the eggs have been processed,” says Slentz. In the United States, fresh eggs sold in stores are required to be washed and refrigerated, and then need to stay refrigerated.
If you raise hens in your backyard, freshly laid eggs can be kept at room temperature, but if you wash them, you should refrigerate them. Eggs that are quickly refrigerated will also last longer. If you’re picking up fresh eggs from the farmer, they’re safe at room temperature and should just be washed thoroughly before consuming.

Should You Wash Eggs?

If you have purchased eggs from the supermarket, there’s no need to wash them. In fact, the USDA notes that washing store-bought eggs may actually increase the risk of contamination because the water can be drawn into the egg through pores in the shell.
However, if you raise hens and have freshly laid eggs at your disposal, you should thoroughly wash the eggs before cooking with them.

How Long Do Eggs Last in the Refrigerator?

Eggs should last three to six weeks when refrigerated. If you’re unsure if your eggs are good. If you want to check if your eggs are good before cooking with them, submerge the egg in a glass of water. If the egg sinks, it’s fresh. If it floats, toss it. You should also discard any eggs with an off smell or color.

How Long Do Eggs Last if Unwashed?

A general rule, unwashed eggs will last around 21 days unrefrigerated and about three months or more in your refrigerator. If you're experiencing an egg boom, it's smart to refrigerate any unwashed fresh eggs you aren't planning to eat immediately. This will help them last longer.

Why Do Other Countries Not Refrigerate Eggs?

In most European and Asian countries, eggs are not washed or refrigerated, explains Slentz. This means that they retain a natural protective layer called the cuticle or bloom, which prevents bacterial growth. Since this layer remains intact, eggs in other countries don’t need to go in the fridge.

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