What are Farm Fresh Eggs? Better than Store Bought?

In today’s world, we’ve become accustomed to the convenience of running to the nearest grocery store to pick up a dozen eggs. Consumers often don’t give a second thought to where these eggs come from or how they were produced. However, there’s a world of difference between eggs bought at your local grocery store and eggs purchased directly from a farm.

Farm fresh eggs are a healthier, more sustainable, and ethically produced option compared to mass-produced store-bought eggs. Farm fresh usually last longer and taste better than grocery-store eggs, and consumers can speak directly with the supplier to find out how the eggs are produced.

Whether you’re a homesteader, a conscious consumer, or simply an egg lover, this guide will equip you with the necessary information and insight needed to make informed decisions about the eggs you consume or produce. So, let’s embark on this journey to discover the world of farm-fresh eggs!

What’s The Big Deal About Farm Fresh Eggs?

As the name suggests, fresh farm eggs come straight from the farm, typically laid by chickens raised in a more natural and humane environment. These eggs are often more nutritious and tastier and carry a host of other benefits that their store-bought counterparts simply can’t match.

Whether you produce farm fresh eggs on your homestead or from backyard chickens or are a consumer looking for a healthier alternative to mass-produced eggs, this information has relevance.

But how do we navigate the confusing world of egg labels? What does “cage-free” or “free-range” really mean? And how do farm fresh eggs compare to the ones we buy from the store?

We will examine the answers to these important questions and more, providing you with a comprehensive guide to understanding and appreciating the value of farm fresh eggs. We’ll also explore the perspective of raising your own chickens on the homestead, giving you a glimpse into the rewarding process of producing your own eggs.

Understanding Egg Labels

When you shop in a grocery store, you are often met with a barrage of egg options. All natural, farm fresh, cage-free, organic – the list goes on. These labels can be confusing, and it’s important to understand what they really mean to make informed choices.

Conventionally Raised Eggs. Approximately 95% of eggs produced in the US come from hens raised in what are referred to as “battery cages.” These cages house an average of 8 birds and provide each chicken with about 67 square inches of floor space, similar to the size of an iPad. These chickens are typically fed a combination of corn with other animal byproducts.

Cage-Free Eggs. This government-defined label means that there must be at least 1.2 square feet per chicken. However, it doesn’t guarantee access to the outdoors, grass, or the sun. Essentially, it means the chickens are free of cages but not much else.
Free-Range Eggs. This is another government-regulated term meaning that each chicken must have a minimum of 2 sq feet of outdoor space. While this is an improvement, the outdoor space usually resembles a small fenced-in patio on cement or dirt ground.
Pasture-Raised Eggs. This term is unregulated by the USDA and Government agencies, meaning it’s open to interpretation by producers. However, third-party agencies like the American Welfare Institute and Humane Farm Animal Care have created their own certifications for pasture-raised eggs. If a carton is labeled as “pasture-raised” and carries a certification like “Certified Humane,” it means the chickens must be raised on at least 2.5 acres per 1,000 hens or 108 sq feet per chicken.

Organic Eggs. This regulated term primarily refers to the feed that chickens receive. Organic eggs mean that chickens must be fed organic certified feed, be cage-free, and have access to the outdoors in some capacity.
Omega-3 Eggs. The chicken’s feed determines this nutritional variation in eggs. Eggs that claim to be high in Omega-3 mean that the hens are fed on a diet high in flaxseed, which is high in omega-3 fatty acids.
Vegetarian Diet Eggs. This label typically means a diet of non-organic corn fortified with some amino acids for protein. It’s important to note that chickens are naturally omnivores, and their typical diet includes plenty of bugs, grasshoppers, worms, etc.

Unregulated Terms. Other terms that are unregulated and essentially mean nothing on packages include: farm fresh, all-natural, hormone-free, and vegetarian-fed.

Understanding these labels is the first step towards making more informed choices about the eggs you consume. In the next section, we’ll compare farm fresh eggs with store-bought ones to further highlight the differences.

Farm Fresh Eggs Vs. Store Bought

Now that we’ve broken down the various labels you might encounter in the grocery store’s egg aisle let’s explore the differences between farm-fresh eggs and store-bought ones.

Farm fresh eggs are typically sourced directly from a local farm, farmer’s market, or co-op. These eggs come from hens that are often raised in more humane and natural conditions compared to those in large-scale commercial egg production.

The hens usually have access to the outdoors, allowing them to forage for a more natural diet, contributing to the nutritional quality and taste of the eggs they produce. Most eggs in the supermarket come from hens raised on factory farms.

As we discussed earlier, these hens are often kept in confined spaces with limited outdoor access. Their diet usually consists of corn and other animal byproducts, which can affect the quality of the eggs.

One of the key advantages of farm fresh eggs is that you’re likely getting them within just a few days of being laid. This differs from store-bought eggs, which are generally between 1-2 months old before they reach the store shelves.

Fresh eggs will have much less nutrient loss than eggs sitting around on the shelf or in a warehouse for a while.

Moreover, when you buy farm fresh eggs, there is much less need to worry about questionable claims and labels. You can often talk directly to the farmer, visit the farm, ask questions, and see firsthand where these eggs come from. This transparency is a significant benefit of choosing farm fresh eggs.

However, an important note is that not all farm fresh eggs are created equal. The conditions can vary from farm to farm, so it’s always crucial to do your research and ask the right questions, which we’ll discuss in the next section.

While store-bought eggs may offer convenience, farm fresh eggs provide a host of benefits, including freshness, taste, nutritional quality, and ethical considerations.

Choosing farm fresh eggs supports local farmers and promotes a more sustainable and humane egg production system.

Questions to Ask Your Farmer About Farm Fresh Eggs

When purchasing farm fresh eggs, asking the right questions is important to ensure you purchase the best quality eggs and support ethical farming practices. We have listed some recommended questions to ask the farmer or egg supplier.

How are the chickens raised? This question helps you understand the living conditions of the hens. Do the birds have sufficient access to the outdoors, bugs, and grass, or are they kept in indoor coops? The answer can give you insights into the welfare of the chickens and the quality of the eggs they produce.
What are they fed? The diet of the hens significantly impacts the nutritional quality of the eggs. Are they fed organic or non-organic feed? Do they get other food scraps, and can they regularly forage for bugs, worms, and other insects? If you have specific dietary requirements or concerns, such as avoiding soy, you can also ask if the hens’ feed is soy-free.

Are the coop and conditions clean? Cleanliness is crucial for the chickens’ health and the eggs’ safety. If possible, visit the farm to check the conditions for yourself. A well-maintained farm is a good sign that the farmer cares for their chickens and takes pride in their produce.

Remember, most farms and homesteaders that produce eggs do so because they genuinely care about where their food comes from and strive to ensure the best possible life and health for their flock.

However, it’s always important to research and ask these questions to ensure you support a farm that aligns with your values and expectations.

Handling Farm Fresh Eggs Safely

Once you’ve decided to purchase farm fresh eggs, it is key to know how to properly handle them to maintain their quality and ensure they’re safe to eat. Here are some key points to remember:

Should Farm Fresh Eggs Be Washed?

Farm fresh eggs should not be washed. When the hen lays the egg, it naturally comes with an outer coating called the bloom. This coating is designed to protect the egg and keep bacteria out.

Washing an egg destroys the bloom, making the egg more susceptible to bacteria. If an egg does need to be washed to clean off any dirt or debris, it should be done with warm water, and the egg should be refrigerated and eaten as soon as possible.

How Long Are Farm Fresh Eggs Safe to Eat?

One of the advantages of buying farm fresh eggs is that they’re usually much fresher than store-bought eggs.

Farm fresh eggs can be stored on the countertop, unwashed, for about 2 weeks. If you do not use the eggs within the 2-week period, you can store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 months.

For an in-depth look at how long farm fresh eggs remain fresh, look at our article “How Long Are Farm Fresh Eggs Good For?“

This article gives a comprehensive guide on how long you can expect these eggs to last, storage options, and best practices for handling these eggs if you collect them yourself from your own chickens or purchase them from a local producer.

What About Fertilized Farm Eggs?

If you’re sourcing your eggs directly from a farm or considering raising your own chickens, you might come across the term ‘fertilized eggs.’ Understanding what this means is important for both the ethical treatment of chickens and your personal preferences.

What are Fertilized Eggs? Some eggs will be fertilized if a rooster is on the farm. This means that the egg was laid by a hen mated with a rooster. Fertilized eggs can develop into chicks if incubated under the right conditions.

Can You Eat Fertilized Eggs? Fertilized eggs are completely safe to eat. There is no discernable visible difference in the outer appearance between a fertilized and unfertilized egg; they do not taste any different.
Identifying Fertilized Eggs. Sometimes, you might notice a small dot of blood in a cracked egg. This is typical of fertilized eggs and is completely safe to eat. However, it’s always a good practice to crack your eggs into a separate bowl before use to ensure everything looks as it should.
Storing Fertilized Eggs. Fertilized eggs should be stored in the same way as unfertilized eggs. Remember to store them pointy side down to keep the air bubble at the top and the yolk centered, preserving the egg’s freshness and helping it last longer.

Storing Farm Fresh Eggs

Proper storage of farm fresh eggs is crucial to maintain their quality, taste, and safety. We have created some egg storage guidelines to help you store your eggs correctly.

Pointy side down. Contrary to what may seem the logical storage orientation, eggs store best with the pointy side down. This is due to an air bubble that naturally occurs at the rounded side of the egg. Storing eggs point side down keeps the air bubble at the rounded end and the yolk centered within the egg. This preserves the egg’s freshness and helps them last longer.
Room temperature storage. One of the biggest advantages of buying eggs fresh from the farm is that they don’t need to be refrigerated immediately. Farm fresh eggs can be stored safely on the countertop, unwashed, for at least 2 weeks. This is due to the natural protective coating, or bloom, which helps to keep bacteria out.

Refrigeration. If you don’t plan to use your eggs within 2 weeks, or if you’ve washed them, store them in the refrigerator, where they can last for up to 3 months. Remember to keep them in a carton to protect them from absorbing odors from other foods.
Cleaning eggs. If your farm fresh eggs have dirt or debris on them, it’s best to leave them unwashed until you’re ready to use them. If an egg needs to be washed right away, do so with warm water, dry it, and store it in the fridge.
Older eggs. If you’re unsure how old your farm fresh eggs are and whether they’re safe, you can always give them the float test. A fresh egg should quickly sink when put in a bowl of water. If the egg floats, it’s not fresh or suitable for eating and should be discarded.

Preserving Farm Fresh Eggs

While farm fresh eggs can be stored for a considerable time under the right conditions, there may be times when you have an abundance of eggs you can’t consume before they go bad.

In such cases, preserving your eggs can be a great solution. Here are several useful methods of preserving eggs.

Water glassing. This is an old-fashioned method of preserving eggs using a solution of water and pickling lime. The eggs are submerged in this solution, which can preserve them for up to 1 year.

Freezing. Eggs can be frozen for long-term storage, but not in their shells. Crack the number of eggs you prefer eggs into a bowl and gently beat them to break up the yolk and white, then pour the beaten eggs into a freezer-safe container. The eggs can be stored this way for up to a year.
Dehydrating. This method involves cracking the eggs and beating them as if you were going to scramble them. Then, the beaten eggs are spread thinly on a dehydrator tray and dried until they are brittle. The dried eggs can be ground into a powder and stored in an airtight container.
Freeze-drying. Like dehydrating, freeze-drying involves freezing the eggs and removing the moisture under vacuum conditions. This results in a dry product that can be rehydrated when needed.

Each method has pros and downsides, and the best method for you depends on your specific needs and resources.

Regardless of your chosen method, preserving eggs can be an excellent way to make the most of your farm fresh eggs and ensure you have a supply of eggs available even when your hens aren’t laying.

The Benefits Of Farm Fresh Eggs

Choosing farm fresh eggs over store-bought ones comes with a host of benefits. Here are some reasons why farm fresh eggs are a superior choice.

Benefits Of Farm Fresh Eggs
Benefit	Description
Nutritional superiority	More nutritious than store-bought. They contain higher levels of vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids due to the varied diet of pasture-raised hens.
Better taste	Many people find that farm fresh eggs taste better. This is likely due to the hens’ diet and the freshness of the eggs.
Ethical considerations	Farm fresh eggs often come from hens raised in more humane conditions. The birds have more space to move around and can engage in natural behaviors, which is not always the case for hens in large-scale commercial egg production.
Supporting the local economy	Buying farm fresh eggs supports local farmers and contributes to the local economy. It’s a great way to know where your food comes from and support sustainable farming practices.
Environmental impact	Farm fresh eggs often have a lower carbon footprint as they don’t require long-distance transportation. Sustainable farming practices associated with farm fresh eggs are better for the environment.
Transparency	When you buy farm fresh eggs, you can usually talk directly with the supplier and understand exactly where your eggs are coming from. This level of transparency is rarely possible with store-bought eggs.

Choosing farm fresh eggs is a simple way to improve your diet, support ethical farming practices, and contribute to more sustainable food production systems.

Raising Your Own Chickens For Eggs

If you want to take sustainable food production a step further, you might consider raising egg-producing chickens yourself.

This can be a rewarding endeavor that provides you with a regular, constant supply of sustainably produced fresh eggs and brings you closer to your food. Considering this undertaking requires carefully examining the responsibilities of raising your own chickens.

The cost of raising chickens. Raising chickens comes with some costs, including the chickens themselves, their feed, and housing.
Caring for chickens in winter. Chickens need special care during winter to keep them healthy and laying eggs. This includes providing them a warm and dry coop, fresh water, and plenty of food.
Building a chicken coop. Your chickens will need a safe and comfortable place to live. This structure can be as simple or as complex and elaborate as you like as long as it provides shelter, a place to roost and lay eggs, and protection from predators.

Feeding your chickens. Your chicken flock needs a well-balanced diet to stay healthy and produce high-quality eggs. This includes commercial chicken feed, as well as kitchen scraps and the bugs and plants they’ll find while foraging.
Health and wellness of your flock. Like any livestock, chickens need regular health checks to catch any potential issues early. This includes checking for parasites, monitoring their weight, and watching for any changes in their behavior or egg production.

Raising your chickens for eggs is a fulfilling activity that can give a sense of satisfaction, accomplishment, and a deeper connection to your food. There is also nothing quite like the taste of an egg from a chicken you’ve raised yourself.

Conclusion

Choosing farm fresh eggs is about more than just the superior taste and nutritional benefits. It’s about supporting local farmers, promoting humane animal treatment, and contributing to a more sustainable food system. It is also about knowing where your food comes from and making choices that align with your values.

For those who wish to take the chicken-keeping plunge, raising your own chickens for eggs can be a rewarding endeavor. Whether you’re a homesteader, a conscious consumer, or simply an egg lover, you must make informed decisions about the eggs you consume to ensure a healthier diet.

References

https://fromscratchfarmstead.com/farm-fresh-eggs/

https://extension.umn.edu/preserving-and-preparing/safety-tips-handling-farm-fresh-eggs

https://www.purinamills.com/chicken-feed/education/detail/how-long-do-eggs-last-facts-about-farm-fresh-eggs

https://www.fresheggsdaily.blog/2017/05/7-tips-to-help-you-sell-your-farm-fresh.html