How To Shop For Eggs

What’s the difference between cage-free, free-range and pasture-raised eggs? ⁠ ⁠

Range, free, pasture… what?

If you don’t know the answer, you’re not alone! Marketers work hard to confuse you, although they *should* give at least a fine-print explanation of why they use the term somewhere on their packaging.⁠ ⁠

So what do they mean?⁠ ⁠

CAGE-FREE: No cage and free to walk around a barn. These ladies have more room to roam than caged hens, but they never see the light of day and could be in pretty tight quarters.⁠

FREE-RANGE: No cage, free to walk around, and have access to a door that goes outside… but it doesn’t mean that they actually get to go outside at all and there are no requirements on the outdoor space. ⁠

PASTURE-RAISED: Uncaged, free to walk around, and usually have at least 108 ft of outdoor space in addition to the barn if they follow “Certified Humane” or “Animal Welfare Approved” requirements. ⁠ ⁠

Why do these terms even matter? ⁠ ⁠

Happy chickens = nutritious eggs.

Eggs from hens raised on a pasture are higher in vitamins A and E, beta carotene and omega-3 fatty acids than those of hens stuck in a cage or barn their whole lives. And a lot of this is because they get to eat bugs, worms and other crawly critters their bodies love rather than soy, corn or even chicken byproduct often used by mass egg producers. ⁠ ⁠

So the most nutritious choice is organic, pasture-raised.

Bonus points for cartons labeled with “Certified Humane” or “Animal Welfare Approved.”

And best yet are fresh pasture-raised eggs from your local farmer.