4 Things to Know About Eggs

19 January 2013, by gj

There are a few things about eggs that might surprise you.

Can you believe what you read?

1. The term ‘free range’ only means the chickens have access to the outdoors. It does not mean they actually go out.
“What?”
Yep, that’s right. A coop with a window technically has access, yet the chickens may remain indoors and even in cages 24/7, and their eggs can still be labeled ‘free range’.

really free

2. Eggs most likely carry GMO’s and are probably not organic. Unless the farmer is using certified organic and GMO-free feed, the chickens are probably eating corn produced using genetically engineered seed. Even backyard chickens are most likely eating genetically engineered feed. The eggs will contain some of the byproducts of the pesticides.

Know whats in your food

3. Real free range chickens get dirty. If you have your own Ladies, you have probably already found this out. When chickens are allowed to be outside, and the ground is wet, their claws get muddy when they scratch looking for food. When they then go to a nest box to lay, they may walk right over another egg, getting it a little dirty.
Not to worry, this is normal.
Just don’t wash the egg, at least not until you are ready to use it.
Egg shells come complete with a coating to prevent bacteria from getting inside. Washing the egg removes that coating, so just wait until the last minute.

Here's looking at you kid.

4. Color doesn’t matter. Store bought brown eggs are probably no better for you than the white ones. Different breeds of chicken lay different color eggs, that’s all. The egg producer may want you to think they are better so you’ll pay more, but unless there is another reason to buy them, don’t waste your money.

Here the thing:
Healthy, happy, uncaged, free range chickens eating veggie scraps and bugs they find produce eggs that taste different and the yolks are a darker color. They have been found to have a better nutrient content as well. If you are buying eggs labeled ‘free range’ from the market and see no significant difference in the yolk color, they are probably from chickens that only have a window.

If you can buy locally, you are better off. Just don’t assume the chickens really get outside. I know a farm that advertises their eggs as free range, I also know for a fact their chickens have a screened in coop they never get out of. It’s still better than factory farmed eggs, but not free range.

If you are allowed chickens where you live, go for it. Really they take less care than a cat.
If you are not allowed, and not in a homeowner’s association, challenge the ruling and see if you can get it changed.
More and more places are allowing chickens, which is a very good thing.

Here are more posts about our Ladies.

Categories: backyard chickens

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