Fort Fun Families

Free range… Organic… Cage Free… Natural…

What’s the difference?

Are you getting the type of eggs you truly want?

Here are some interesting facts about eggs that you may not know.

But first, a cute picture of some adorable chicks future egg layers.

What does it mean if an egg is labeled “organic”?

Eggs that are labeled organic - which is done by the USDA - come from chickens that eat food made without toxic or persistent insecticides, pesticides, genetic engineering, sewage sludge, or animal-derived protein. The chickens are allowed to move around freely, and are raised without antibiotics, added growth hormones, or genetic modification. Also, organic eggs have not been irradiated.

Here’s a cute photo of a 2-day old chick falling asleep, literally.

What do all those labels mean? And which are verified by third-party inspectors?

Free range: Chickens have unrestrained access to the outside world.

Cage free: Chickens are not restricted to cages.

Free farmed: Poultry was raised with adequate space and comfort, without unnecessary antibiotics.

Natural: Eggs are minimally processed and free of artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives.

Only free farmed eggs. Free range is only defined for chickens that are eaten, not those that lay eggs. Cage free only guarantees that the chickens aren’t in cages, but that doesn’t mean that they have access to the outdoors.

Here’s my oldest son holding a chick.

Did you know that it only takes a hen 24 to 26 hours to produce an egg? Then she starts all over again.

And one more thing you may not have known…

Raw eggs will keep from 4 to 5 weeks, yes - weeks! - beyond their pack date, provided they’re kept refrigerated in their carton; hard boiled eggs can be refrigerated for up to one week.

I think the best way to get great eggs would be to raise the chickens yourself. But if you can’t (like I can’t), organic eggs are the best way to go.