Farm Fresh Eggs vs. Store Bought Eggs

TOP EGG: COMMERCIAL STORE-BOUGHT "ORGANIC" EGG
BOTTOM EGG: FREE-RANGE EGG

When you look at the picture above, it is easy to see the difference between the two egg yolks.  The egg yolk on the top is significantly lighter than the egg yolk on the bottom.  But do you know what caused the color variation between the two yolks?  Diet.  A true free-range hen has an unrestricted diet that is high in leafy greens, alfalfa and bugs which turn the yolk of their eggs a dark amber/orange color.  The commercial store-bought egg comes from a hen that is offered a more restricted diet, usually consisting of a grain (corn) and protein mixture, resulting in a light orange/pale yellow color.  The visual differences between the two are obvious, but how do they differ nutritionally?

According to a study conducted in 2007 by Mother Earth News Magazine, hens who are allowed to pasture and free range produce eggs nutritionally superior to hens who are raised in commercial settings.  Comparing USDA nutritional information from commercial eggs and nutritional information from eggs raised on pasture,  here are their incredible findings!


Farm fresh eggs contain.....

• 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 
• 4-6 times more vitamin D

.......than commercial eggs. 

Backyard Chickens lay healthier eggs