September 20: What egg labels really mean
Understanding the difference between “cage-free,” “free-range,” and “pasture-raised.”
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Without further ado, today’s fact!
Source: The Humane Society
Date: December 2018
What Egg Labels Really Mean
Egg carton labels can leave grocery shoppers feeling confused. Here is a helpful guide:
Cage-free: at least 1.2 square feet of indoor floor space per hen; no outdoor access.
Free-range: at least 2.0 square feet of outdoor space per hen.
Pasture-raised: at least 108 square feet of outdoor space per hen.
White or Brown: the color of an egg is determined by the breed of the hen that lays it; they taste the same.
Grade AA and A: AA is the highest quality, with firmer whites and rounder yokes than A.
Editor’s note: I buy Pasture-Raised Large Brown eggs. They’re expensive at $0.60 per egg but feel worth it for the welfare of the hens. What do you buy?
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I'm fortunate to live where I can keep a small urban flock (4). February - October they give 12-20 eggs per week. Chicken care is fairly easy - 10 minutes a day, a quick weekly clean, and quarterly deep clean. Bonus - they love people, are hilarious to watch, and will sit in your lap for snuggles. It's not for everybody, but it works for our family.
Backyard chickens for the win! Our flock has a fenced grassy area but get to free range often. They are fun to watch, great bug control, and provide lovely eggs. We added a few dozen quail this year and my kids adore those mini eggs for breakfast!