This egg recall really has me thinking about raising chickens. Initially, it started for the eggs, oh the glorious beautiful, golden yolk eggs. I was spoiled on these truly free range eggs from my in-laws, and hadn’t bought a egg in months. Until one day I ran out and had to buy pale, no flavor, store bought eggs, mind you these were labeled, “free range”, organic eggs. They just didn’t compare. The shells were thin, the whites were runny and the yolks were so light yellow.
Well I did a little investigating on “free range” egg labels, turns out they aren’t free range at all, except they get to walk on a dirt floor for “get this” 5 minutes a day. No fresh grass, no bugs, no watermelon, no love. Ok I digress.
I do understand that in order to feed all the hungry people eggs they need these massive egg farms, but I just wish they wouldn’t try to mislead people into thinking they are buying more than eggs from chickens in cramped conditions, that never see the daylight, touch grass or eat bugs.
I understand that not everyone has the capability, time, or want to, to raise a few backyard chickens, but in my dream world at least half of us would.
To support my case here are a few details about truly free range eggs compared to store bought eggs:
Mother Earth News recently offered results of documented studies which test compared free range (pastured) eggs to factory produced USDA eggs. When compared to factory grown eggs, free range eggs have, on average:
• 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
Eggs produced by pasture grazed hens have less fat and far less cholesterol, more Omega-3 fatty acids (vital for optimal heart and brain function), and a very high level of beta-carotene (a form of vitamin A). My chickens are not fed chemicals or hormones; they simply live as nature intended enjoying a fresh, natural, free range diet . Our chickens enjoy a wonderful, happy life so they can produce the most nutritious eggs.
Here’s a little chart that puts it so very nicely:
All of this to not mention the pure fun, hilarity and joy I get from my chickens everyday.
They are curious, full of personality little things by nature. They love to explore, check everything out and always on the quest for a snack.
My boys love playing with them and picking their eggs each day. They are more than just egg laying machines, they are our pets.
I now have 14 egg layers, and gather at least 10+ eggs a day, so if you are in need of any eggs, just let me know, I’ll hook you up, so you can taste the difference yourself.
I am right there with you. My daughter even did a science project on the difference between store bought and our pet chickens eggs. I think she almost became a chicken rights advocate after all the research she found. I agree wholeheartedly with you…we love watching our chicken, my 2 year old twins love to feed them and hold them and collect their eggs. And their favorite treat is watermelon! Go home raised chickens!
*sigh* I wish I lived near farm land or even had a house with a big back yard. I would so buy farm fresh eggs. I bet they taste really good..
My girls crack me up too! And with this egg recall, I can more verbally tout the benefits of home eggs.
Like, for example, last night I did a rooster swap. Since my SLW boy has decided to crow, his future is on questionable grounds (long story). However, my little frizzle’s crow is teeny tiny at best, so he’s been swapped out with the big boy rooster. This morning, the frizzle was, without a doubt, BEWILDERED beyond belief. He’d been growing up in the laundry room until he was big enough to go outside, and with there being another rooster in the outdoor pen, I didn’t want to introduce a little rooster and have the little frizzle get fought.
I should add that the frizzle has a mohawk.
Yes, the frizzle got beat up a bit by the big girls, but a pecking order needs to be established. And yes, big boy rooster is equally disturbed about his new digs. But it is all quite entertaining for the easily-distracted humans.
PS: The faverolles? They are so motherly. They’re friendly to the new frizzle boy.
Great post!
I, also, start sounding like an activist, the more i learn about how chickens are raised in the “industry.” It’s so easy to raise a couple of chickens, almost anyone – even suburbians – could do it. It’s great landscaping and lots of fun!
Any tips on how to keep my chickens from becoming some stray animal’s dinner? My chickens wandered our place for almost a year before they were eaten. I’d love to get more but don’t want to have to build cages for them. I just want them to be free and roost in our barn at night. Any suggestions?
Right before all the drama with our house, and having to basically evacuate it, Matt and I had decided to start raising chicken in the spring. Needless to say I am still REALLY bummed about that! Someday!
Dang. You have me convinced. Unfortunately, we’d have to do a lot of back yard construction. Maybe next summer.
I would LOVE to have some of your eggs! I wish I lived next door to you!
We always had fresh eggs when I was growing up and I do remember knowing the difference in taste and consistency. My mom’s sugar cookies were SO much better with the fresh eggs. It took moving and having to buy eggs at the market to show me the difference.
Girl…I really may need to hook up with you. My nutritionist says I’m deficient in Vitamin A, and the best source is eggs…and you’re the only source I know of real, range free eggs. Right now, I still can’t eat eggs (that whole pregnancy nausea thing), but I’m hoping to feel better soon, and then I want to try your eggs!
I am all over this one! The next time I’m in town, I’m coming by to pick up some eggs. 🙂 I bet they would make my cookies taste even better!
Very interesting… I’d love to be able to do something like this. Although it may look a little funny having chickens in the backyard seeing as how we’re so close to the city and all. 🙂