![]() ![]() Hens lay eggs whether a rooster is involved or not, though the quantity varies over the year. Omega-3Įggs that are labeled with extra Omega-3 simply means that the hens' feed has been fortified with omega-3 fatty acids. Per certified humane standards, pasture-raised hens have 108-square feet of outdoors space and indoor access for inclement weather. Pasture-Raised eggs are not regulated by USDA, but generally come from hens that have continuous access to pastures. If eggs are certified humane and also cage-free or free-range, then that means they met the humane standards for space per hen, which are higher. There are also humane certifications granted by nonprofit animal welfare organizations. What kind of outdoors access can be limited. Free-Range is also a USDA-regulated label that requires the hens to have access to the outdoors. Cage-FreeĬage-Free is a USDA label that means the hens aren't held in cages, though they typically are kept in a large barn. However, the current Trump administration has planned to roll back organic egg standards and one of the first things to go was stricter animal welfare rules that would have outlined precisely how much space and what kinds of outdoor access should be required. The chickens also can't receive most drugs or hormones, and must have access to the outdoors. Generally, organic standards require the hens to eat organic-certified feed (and, if they're on pastures, organic-certified grass and pasture). Organic is a specific and regulated term that means the chickens and their eggs meet USDA organic requirements. To understand all those various labels, there are a handful of definitions to know: Organic Not to mention there are more fancy local organic vegetarian-fed pasture-raised eggs than ever. And prices overall for eggs are on the rise this year anyway, because of an increase in demand and a decrease in international production due to avian influenza. Let's get one thing out of the way to start with: The color of the egg's shell comes from the breed of hen, while the color of the yolk is a result of what the hen eats.Īlthough brown eggs often command a higher price than white eggs, most farmers will tell you there's no real difference. What's the difference between fertile and non-fertile? Grade A or AA? Brown and white eggs? With the increase in local eggs in recent years, how do you know which ones are the best ones and which are going to be recalled for Salmonella? When you stand in front of the egg cases at the grocery store it can all start to seem a little overwhelming. ![]()
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