Our new diet is pretty strict and excludes most of our favorite go-to breakfast items. In the absence of cereal, granola, oatmeal, muffins, etc. we have been turning more and more to the incredible edible egg!
When I approach the egg section in the super market I am presented with a number of options. Hormone Free, Antibiotic-Free, Free-range, Cage-Free, Organic, Vegetarian-fed, Fertile, Added Omega/DHA. So, how to choose?
I've done a little research and I hope my poor attempt to communicate my findings will be helpful.....
First of all, read the fine print. Antibiotic-free will often have an asterisk that further explains that the antibiotics are only used for sick birds.....what they don't mention is that most of the birds are "sick". Don't believe me? Watch Food Inc.
Vegetarian fed might sound good at first, but it typically means corn-fed and raised indoors. Which brings us to "cage-free" I was suprised to discover that cage-free doesn't really mean a whole lot and I actually saw an egg crate that was labeled "free-range*" then when I found the asterisk on the back of the crate it read "chickens are free-roaming in hen house"!!!! Not sure how this is considered "free-range" Chickens are made to eat insects, grubs, worms etc in addition to grain. A true free roaming organic hen will lay eggs that have the proper ratio of omega-3 and omega-6. It's when farmers cage their hens and feed them corn that the egg takes on a less beneficial make-up. Thus, the need to add the Omegas/DHA into the feed in hopes that small amounts make it to the egg.
I recently encountered the "fertile egg". Still not exactly sure how to explain this one. I asked the guy at Trader Joe's and he said "you might find little bird parts in them...chicken embryos" Eeeww!!! Gross!!! No thanks!
So, my hunt for good quality eggs brought me to a small local ranch that has chickens and many other variety of foul that roam freely on 5 acres of land. They eat insects, grubs, etc and are supplemented with an organic chicken feed as well. The yolks are dark, similar to what you might find in an ADDED OMEGA egg in the super market but without the strong taste (in my opinion) And at $3.50/dozen I can't complain!
Farmer's Markets and CSA's are also great places to find real farm fresh eggs.
For all the areas (and I'm sure there are many) that my explanation was lacking, here's a helpful link.
I'd love to start some discussions regarding these posts. And I'm always interested in learning more.
Great info! I have also heard that a lot of the "chicken feed" given to caged hens actually include chicken. That's pretty nasty. We started getting our eggs from a friend's farm last year, and the yolks absolutely look different than store bought eggs - darker and more orange. We love them! :)
ReplyDeleteJen, that's awesome that you guys have friends that are raising chickens. Wish we had the land and the TIME to that ourselves. I've also heard about that "chicken feed". You're right, gross! And what they are feeding the cows is even worse...but I guess that will be a post for another day.
ReplyDelete-Kelly
We are lucky too... as many free eggs as we can eat from a friend who has 30+ chickens. The eggs are HUGE and seriously taste so much better.
ReplyDeleteWe used to get them at Costco. I still like Costco's eggs better than the ones at the grocery store... but I have no idea about all of the free range/ antibiotics or anything with their eggs.
Glad you found a place to get them!
Free?....I'm soooo jealous!
ReplyDeleteWish you were closer... we would get some for you guys too!
ReplyDeleteInteresting! We also have chickens and I love the fresh eggs. Our chickens are sometimes free range in their cage and sometimes out of it (mostly becuase we got a new dog and they don't get along too well, so they take turns out in the yard). I am spoiled now though, I don't think I could go back to store bought eggs.
ReplyDelete