Are eggs from pasture-raised chickens healthier? (2024)

FAQs

Are eggs from pasture-raised chickens healthier? ›

Research from Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences found that compared to eggs from conventionally-raised chickens, eggs from pasture-raised hens had: Double the amount of vitamin E and long-chain omega-3 fats. More than twice the amount of total omega-3 fatty acids.

Providing pasture to hens yields egg yolks with a lower omega-6:omega-3 (n-6:n-3) ratio and significantly greater vitamin A, vitamin E, and carotenoid content compared to egg yolks from caged hens [1,9,10].

While there are some differences between pasture-raised and free-range eggs, particularly in price and the amount of outdoor space provided, the reality is that it's hard to go wrong with either products because they're both providing ample outdoor space to the hens, they're both Certified Humane, and both products are ...

In the well-drafted complaint, the plaintiffs attacked statements on Vital Farm's egg cartons that their operations are “ethical” and “certified humane,” their hens are “pasture-raised,” and their “mission is the humane treatment of farm animals.” Plaintiffs argue these statements were false, and when viewed in the ...

Pasture-raised eggs (also known as pastured eggs) are by far the best eggs to buy, but make sure you at least get free range. The grade of eggs refers to the actual quality of an egg's shell, whites, and yolk. From best to worst, the grades are Grade AA, Grade A, and Grade B.

Pasture-raised eggs have been found to have higher omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins A and E, and lower cholesterol and saturated fat content. Omega-3s are associated with a lower risk of stroke, diabetes, cancer, and heart disease and may reduce the severity of eczema and rheumatoid arthritis.

All of our family-owned farms are in the pasture belt, which is the U.S. region, including Arkansas and portions of Alabama, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas, where pasture-raised eggs can be produced year-round.

To find local Animal Welfare Certified eggs in your state, check our list of certified farms. If you are searching for higher-welfare eggs in your neighborhood supermarket, look for brands like Vital Farms, NestFresh^®, Nellie's and Kipster that showcase their earned Certified Humane label.

Farm eggs taste better and are better for you.

Not only do farm eggs have less saturated fat and cholesterol but they are higher in omega-3 fatty acids which are essential for your day-to-day functioning.

Vital Farms permits beak trimming, has large flocks of >20,000 birds, doesn't meet the minimum of 1.8 square feet of indoor space per bird, and doesn't let their pullets outside until 22 weeks. Happy Egg permits beak trimming, has flock sizes of up to 20,000 birds, and doesn't let their pullets outside until 22 weeks.

Are brown eggs better than white eggs? ›

The color of the shell does not affect the nutrient content. There is no nutritional difference between a white and a brown egg. The breed of the hen determines the color of her eggs. Chickens such as the Leghorn, White Rock and Cornish, lay white eggs.

As a superior alternative to ordinary eggs, Eggland's Best offers higher nutritional content, less saturated fat and fewer calories. EB eggs contain 10 times more vitamin E, more than twice the amount of omega-3s, more than double the amount of vitamin B, and six times more vitamin D than ordinary eggs.

However, for the most part, it seems the nutritional differences between caged and cage-free eggs are minimal. The most significant difference in these eggs is the quality of life the hens receive. Cage-free and pasture-raised hens often lead less restrictive lives, with room to perch, dust bathe, and lay their eggs.

For example, Certified Humane® defines “pasture-raised” hens as hens that are given six hours outdoors, with 108 square feet of outdoor space per hen. Vital Farms is a good example of a company that produces pasture-raised eggs with the Certified Humane® label, which can be found in many grocery stores.

The fats that pastured eggs contain are anti-inflammatory and beneficial to the heart and brain where conventionally-raised proteins are higher in omega 6 and may promote inflammation.

In order for a company to label its eggs as "USDA certified organic" the hens must be raised following the same standards as pasture-raised eggs, but with the added restrictions of being produced without the use of pesticides, herbicides or fertilizers, and the hens must be fed an organic diet without those substances.

Once again, many chickens are debeaked, forced to live in their own waste, often fed the same antibiotic and arsenic-laden feed that conventional chickens eat, and are still slaughtered in ways that will make your stomach turn. Free-range chickens are far from free, and they don't live on a range.