Compare Pastured Free Range Eggs to Commercial Eggs:
• 1/3 less cholesterol
• 1/4 less saturated fat
• 2/3 more vitamin A
• 2 times more omega-3 fatty acids
• 3 times more vitamin E
• 7 times more beta carotene
Free range refers to chickens being allowed to range freely outdoors where they can eat whatever grass, weed seeds, insects and worms they choose. This results in more nutritious eggs and meat for consumers, and more healthy, humane conditions for the birds. Some producers abuse this term and label their eggs as “free range” when in fact all they have done is open a door to allow their chickens to range in an outdoor area of bare dirt or concrete, with no pasture in sight.
Our birds are free to explore our property. They have access to poultry feed with flax and are able to select grasses and insects that appeal to them (grass, pasture, bush).We believe that the freedom to choose results in a better quality product. Our birds are happy, friendly and their state of mind is reflected in the eggs they produce.
We grade our eggs as Large, but 80 to 90% of the eggs we sell are actually Extra Large or better. We are able to sell our eggs at a fair price because we sell them from our farm gate. If we chose to sell them retail, we would need to have them inspected at a federal station. This inspection process does not guarantee that we will receive the eggs produced by our own flock back. The inspection would cost $1.50 per dozen and we would need to pass this cost on to our customers
So next time you purchase eggs, consider how the chicken that produced the egg lived, whether they were "true free range" or "pastured" or "grass-fed" hens and also consider that the eggs may have been produced at a location other than the one specified on the carton.( to read more go to Mother Earth News).
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