Why Eat Pasture Raised Eggs?

Is there really a difference in pasture raised eggs and conventionally-raised eggs? Or how about cage-free or free range eggs? What does each of these terms really mean and which eggs are the best to be eating? Or are eggs just eggs and it doesn't matter how the chickens are raised?

To start off we have to clarify we are not experts on food nutrition or health experts. This is just what we have learned by doing our own research and by our own experiences. We raise our own pasture raised eggs so you could say that we are partial to pasture raised eggs however we want you to do your own research and make the best choices for yourself and family based on what you learn.

The 4 different types of eggs we will compare are conventionally raised, cage-free, free-range, and pasture raised.

Conventionally Raised Eggs. This is how big commercial companies raise their chickens. Most of the time they are the normal white eggs you will find in the grocery store. They are probably the cheapest to buy because they are mast produced in large building housing thousands of chickens. The chickens are kept in small cages and their whole purpose in life is to eat and give eggs...lots of eggs.

Cage-free Raised Eggs. These birds are not technically in individual cages but they still do not have freedom. They will have only 1 or 2 square feet per chicken in a group pen or building. They do not have access to go outside but live their lives in a flock inside a building. This could lead to some birds getting picked on as they do not have enough space to spread out and enjoy life.

Free-range Raised Eggs. This one sounds like it would be almost like pasture raised. But really it just means the birds have an outside enclosure that they could possible go out into if the farmer opens the door. From what we have read it just means that their pen has a door to go outside and it is up to the farmer to open that door or keep it closed. It does not mean that the chickens actually go outside. They do not have a natural diet but it might be a little better then a conventionally raised chicken.

Pasture Raised Eggs. These birds have freedom and are humanly raised. To technically be labeled pasture raised each hen must be given 108 square feet of outdoor space. They must also be given some space indoors or at lease a safe place for them to roost at night.

We have a chicken tractor that we can move to different parts of the pasture so they don't always hang out in the same spots. We also lock the chickens inside our chicken tractor at night for their protection. This is also where their nesting boxes are. A pasture raised bird will have a more natural diet and they will control what they eat. Yes, we give them the feed they need but they love to go out and eat bugs and whatever else they find that they want to eat. Pasture raised chickens also soak up the sun and vitamin D which is transferred to their eggs.

Here are some health benefits to eating pasture raised eggs compared to conventionally raised eggs.

1. Pasture raised eggs have 6 times more vitamin D.

2. Pasture raised eggs have 3 times more vitamin E.

3. Pasture raised eggs have more vitamin A.

4. Pasture raised eggs have twice the amount of total omega-3 fatty acids.

5. Pasture raised eggs have 7 times more beta-carotene.

6. Pasture raised eggs have less cholesterol.

7. Pasture raised eggs have less saturated fat.

If you have a pasture raised egg and a conventionally raised egg you will be able to see and taste the difference. The pasture raised egg will have a darker yoke and better taste.