I know that when most people hear Free Range Eggs they picture chickens walking around in a pasture, clucking happily in the sun like they should be, but unfortunately that is not the case.
The label free range was intended to give consumers an idea about the conditions the chickens were kept in, so that they could make an informed decision when buying eggs, but due to irresponsible factory farm businesses, consumers are being duped.
The truth about free range is that it is nothing more than a label regulated by the USDA that has been abused by agribusiness companies who are more concerned with their bottom line than with healthy food and humane treatment of animals.
According to the USDA, the only requirements for labeling eggs as free range is the following:
“Producers must demonstrate to the Agency that the poultry has been allowed access to the outside.” (source)
Many people are now aware that conventional egg-laying hens are kept in deplorable conditions. Most conventional egg-laying hens are kept in battery cages in a dark shed right next to other chickens. They are de-beaked so they can’t peck at each other and fed antibiotics and hormones just to keep them alive. Most of these hens never see sunlight and are never given an opportunity to walk since their cage does not allow for movement of any kind.
Chickens in Battery Cages
These conditions are bleary and sad, so it’s only natural that people would want to avoid supporting that and choose free-range instead, but the problem is that there is barely a difference between conventional and free range eggs.
What does “free range eggs” really mean?
Since the USDA’s definition of free-range is so weak, manufacturers are allowed to pack hundreds or even thousands of chickens in a dark shed with a tiny opening at one end of the shed. The only requirement is that “the poultry has been allowed access to the outside”. Most of the chickens are not aware of the opening, cannot physically access the opening or the opening only leads to a very small fenced outdoor section that wouldn’t allow enough space for even a few hens. Most free-range hens do not see outdoors more than a handful of times in their lives.
“Free Range” Chickens. Not quite what you pictured, right?
What free-range does NOT mean:
Free range eggs does NOT mean that the chickens were treated humanely. Most agribusinesses employ the same exact methods of de-beaking and unhealthy living conditions that conventional factory farms do.
Free range eggs does NOT mean that the chickens are free from antibiotics or hormones.
Free range eggs does NOT mean that the chickens spent a substantial amount of time outside, it may even mean that they don’t step foot outside more than a few times in their lives.
Free range eggs does not mean that the eggs are organic or GMO-free.
Which Egg Label REALLY Means that the Hens Roam Free?
Pastured eggs are the only ones that you can trust that the hens actually spend substantial time outside.
Pastured Hens
Pastured means that they actually graze outside and are allowed to forage on grass and bugs. The hens get vitamin D from the sunlight and are all-around healthier and therefore create more nutrient dense eggs.
In fact, a study done in 2007 found that pastured eggs had:
• 2/3 more vitamin A
• 2 times more omega-3 fatty acids
• 3 times more vitamin E
• 7 times more beta carotene
(source)
What pastured does NOT mean:
Although pastured eggs are the best and most humane option, it doesn’t necessarily mean that the eggs are organic or GMO-free.
Sometimes pastured hens can still receive supplemental feed which can contains GMO corn or soy. To avoid this, you can either buy organic pastured eggs or pastured eggs that are labelled as non-GMO. Read more about GMOs here.
If you buy eggs from a farmer’s market, simply ask your farmer if they give their chicken supplemental feed and if it’s gmo-free.
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Christina says
May 8, 2014 at 4:40 amIf you can’t get pastured eggs, what would be the next best option to look for?
Healy Eats Real says
May 8, 2014 at 10:27 amIf you can’t get pastured eggs, then the next best option would probably be to try to find free range eggs from a local farmer’s market since they would likely be a little better quality than the store-bought ones.
Try checking craigslist, you might be able to find a local farmer or someone who raises chickens who might be able to supply eggs.
If those two don’t pan out then organic free range is unfortunately the best you can do if you really don’t have access to pastured.
Becki Miller says
May 8, 2014 at 3:40 pmGreat post. In my opinion it is always better to buy eggs from a back yard chicken farmer than store eggs. While they may have been feed gmo feeds they are still better cared for in general and the eggs will be fresh too.
Healy Eats Real says
May 9, 2014 at 9:43 amI agree Becki, if you know the farmer or they are local it’s much better. However, GMOs are a concern and have been linked to food allergies, leaky gut and autoimmune disorders. But if pastured eggs with GMO feed is your only option I still think it’s better than “free range” organic.
Becki Miller says
May 9, 2014 at 12:42 pmI agree about the gmo “food”. I have gotten away from gmo feed for my goats and am working toward it with my chickens. I will have to come up with my own affordable mix as organic chicken feed is almost $30 for a 50 lb bag. No wonder organic eggs are so expensive!
Toni says
May 8, 2014 at 5:31 pmThis is great information that more people need to see. Thanks for a great post. I actually created an infographic on this exact thing explaining the difference between pastured and conventional eggs. Would love to share it with you!
md Kennedy says
May 8, 2014 at 11:00 pmFANTASTIC post! When we cannot get eggs from our neighbor down the street, we stick with pastured and then ideally pastured organic (sometimes hard to find “certified” organic as getting certification is expensive for small farmers).
Healy Eats Real says
May 9, 2014 at 9:38 amThanks! Yes, I don’t always get certified organic pastured eggs because if I know the farm or farmer and know they they’re not feeding the chickens GMOs then I’m A OK with that! 🙂
Lisa says
May 9, 2014 at 6:55 amAlso, note that “pastured” is not the same as “pasteurized”. I saw some eggs at Publix with a huge “Pasteurized Eggs” across the front, obviously to fool people into thinking they were pastured. They almost went into my cart, but luckily, I caught onto their trickery.
Healy Eats Real says
May 9, 2014 at 9:37 amReally? That’s strange, I don’t even know what pasteurized eggs would mean? Pasteurized for milk usually means it’s heated to over 150° to kill bacteria, I would imagine if you did that to eggs they would just be hard-boiled! 😉
G Cusma says
May 10, 2014 at 6:54 amIn Phoenix the eggs from grocery stores are labeled “cage free” and certified organic. I’m wondering now if this is comparable to “free range” eggs. Where does one go to research a specific egg producer?
Healy Eats Real says
May 11, 2014 at 12:04 pmYes, “cage free” is essentially the same as “free range” it just means that the chickens aren’t in battery cages, but if you look at the photo in the article of the “free range” hens, they are not caged, but still in poor living conditions.
Kami says
June 6, 2015 at 12:44 pmAlthough that is a dreamy photo of pastured hens, the girls tend to dig up and, ascetically speaking, destroy their outdoor area pretty quick! So even if your farmers hens don’t appear to be roaming on grass, they sure do like to dig, make cool spots to lay on a hot day, find worms to eat, etc and they are still very happy in their dirt pens!
Toni Sicola says
August 12, 2015 at 10:15 amSo true! Free range basically means nothing. Check out my infographic that explains the difference between conventional eggs and pastured eggs. Vital Farms even shared this one with their readers! http://cultivatedwellbeing.com/factory-vs-pastured-eggs/
Hannah of Healy Eats Real says
August 13, 2015 at 10:26 amGreat work Toni! 🙂