"Let's Crack On"
Eggs are such a rich source of protein and nutrition with the egg whites containing amino acids and the yolks rich with vitamins A, D, E and K along with omega-3 fats and beneficial folate and vitamin B12 ( essential for healthy nerves and red blood cells), and antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin.
The yolks also contain more of the nutrient choline than the whites. Choline is a B vitamin known for its role in brain development. It's estimated that 90 percent of the U.S. population may be deficient in choline.
The quality of nutrition of eggs relies on the quality of life and nutrition of the chicken. The outside egg color does not determine this, but the color of the yolk can reveal the truth.
Commercial/factory eggs come from chickens that live in extremely hot and crowded conditions, that are always in their fecal areas and never go outside in the sunshine.
They are fed GMO feed that has been grown with chemical fertilizers and pesticides. These conditions make them prone to disease and so they are pumped with antibiotics.
The yolks of these eggs are a pale yellow color.
Neither the eggs or the chickens, should be considered fit for consumption.
There are various descriptive labels being used for eggs and there are differences, some small and some great, between them.
Some of these companies are relying on consumers to "assume" the chickens are living quality lives from the misleading information given on the cartons.
It's important to have all the information, not just a piece.
There is one significant fact that needs to be stated first and that is: chickens are not vegetarians, they are omnivores.
So, an "all vegetarian diet," does not give them all their essential nutrients.
Pastured eggs : The chickens are raised in a free roaming, outside environment in the sunshine with fresh air, acquiring exercise, as they forage and enjoy grass, flowers, bugs, seeds, worms, etc., that provides a natural balanced diet for optimal health.
These eggs will have a strong orange color and have four to six times more vitamin D, because the sunshine is converted to Vitamin D.
According to a study from 2007 Mother Earth News egg testing project, conventional store bought eggs are nutritionally inferior to pastured eggs.
Compared to official U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) nutrient data for commercial eggs, eggs from hens raised on pasture may contain:
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
Organic eggs: These chickens are given feed that is free of pesticides and synthetic fertilizers. No antibiotics are used.
Organic poultry producers must establish and maintain year-round living conditions of access for all birds to the outdoors with shelter, exercise areas, fresh air, clean water for drinking, and direct sunlight.
Clean, dry bedding (organic) is to be used in their shelters.
Yards must be well drained and kept in good condition (including frequent removal of wastes).
These eggs are second best to pastured.
Note* I want to be clear here that only when the term "organic" is used, can there be a certainty that no pesticides, chemical fertilizers, antibiotics, or GMO's in feeds nor chemical flavors or colors be used.
Free Range eggs: These chickens are given access to go outside through various doors, but that doesn't mean they do go out, nor are the doors required to be open a certain period of time.
They still live in cramped quarters in their fecal matter.
It also doesn't mean they will have a yard or field of grass to enjoy with all the yummy diet options of bugs and worms. It could just be a cement or gravel area.
Their feed is not required to be organic, so they can be fed the same GMO feed with all the dangerous chemicals, that the commercial egg producers use.
Cartons stating "all vegetarian feed," does not change the issue of using GMO soy or corn and the pesticides and fertilizer.
They can also be given antibiotics as well, unless they are stating they are not.
This label can mislead people to confuse it with pastured.
Cage-free eggs: These chickens are also basically raised like the free-range with no cages, although the "open doors" are not an option.
Now to address the feed issues a little more.
As I have stated in my Food Talk article on Oils - the soy, corn, cottonseed in the US is 90% GMO. So, for an egg producer to state they are using vegetarian feed, does not give any comfort of quality. It is GMO and detrimental to the chickens health, as well as, your health.
As for Omega-3 enhanced feed, that means they are being fed flax seeds and fish/oils. And again, in my Food Talk article on Choosing Safe Clean Fish - you will see that farmed fish is also not suitable for consumption, as the fish live in unhealthy conditions, similar to commercial/factory operated chicken farms with very confined quarters in fecal matter, fed corrupt feed and given antibiotics, etc.
As for buying local, this holds no sway with me for all the above reasons.
Is the farmer raising the chickens in a healthy environment with a suitable healthy diet? Do the chickens look healthy or are they mite-infested with a large portion of missing feathers?
The price differences between commercial and pastured or organic reflects "quality" and the extra expenses and care to ensure it.
Just 1 pastured egg is far superior in nutrient value than a handful of commercial factory eggs.
Having optimal health for any individual should not have a "price tag" determination.
We raise Speckled Sussex chickens, a heritage breed that is one of Britain's oldest. They are a docile, dual-purpose bird. They are pastured and the yolks of their eggs have that strong orange color and good flavor.
They also love to eat anything out of the garden and especially the garden pests like, grasshoppers, which we have quite an abundance of. The hens come running when they see me with the net, that I use to catch the big ones, that hide in the flowers.
This is Wooster with his hens (yes, his name is spelled correctly) and ol' Watson keeping his distance in the corner.
I hope this was beneficial to you. My goal is to help provide the information that you need to make wise lifestyle choices.
Ramona