4 types of eggs and what each means for your health

            

          

            1.   Conventional eggs

Conventionally raised chicken for egg production live in small wire cages generally 1 by 1 foot These cubicles can also be shared by two hens.  As the eggs are laid they roll out of an opening and into the front for pick up, or are sometimes rolled off on a conveyer belt.  These hens have never stretched their wings and have only a small opening to poke their head out to eat the feed and water that is laid out for them.

The feed contains prophylactic antibiotics to keep the hen disease free throughout the course of her productive life.   Also the hens are fed commercial feed with no other supplementation, which almost always consists of GMO corn and GMO soy. The feed also contains high amounts of calcium and artificial coloring agents to keep the shell hard and the yolk orange.  This is why egg color is usually not an accurate sign of whether the eggs have been raised in a healthy manner.

Antibiotics can cause antibiotic resistant bacteria in the gut of hens as well as humans in contact with their eggs.  Artificial yolk dyes have been know to be potential carcinogens.  Also, since non-organic feed is used, bioaccumulation and contamination by agricultural chemicals is very likely.

Hormones are unknown in chicken production, hence if you see packaging saying hormone free, it would be like calling bottled water fat free!

2.   Free Range eggs

Unbeknownst to most people, free range eggs may never have seen a blade of grass.  All that this term means in that the hens do not live in small cages, but can move around and go to their laying boxes when they feel the need.  Free-range hens are generally in an enclosed structure like a large hall, wherein the hens live.  The minimal amount of space required for a hen in this setting is 1 foot by 1 foot.  The problem with this density of hens, is that they begin to peck at each other and cause wounds.  The feed is the same as in the conventional raising.  These types of Free-range eggs facilities are considered normal industrial eggs with a poorer system of production, as the facilities cannot be raised as cleanly and hygienically as the conventional box egg production

3.   Organic eggs

Organic eggs are difficult to find in most countries, as the deciding element is that the hens eat organic feed.  Organic feed is difficult to come by, since it needs to be elaborated from certified organic ingredients.  Also, organic has some restrictions as to how animals can be raised.  Space requirements are double per hens, which would be 2 square feet… in essence a space of 1ft by 2ft.  How this is done is at the discretion of the breeder.  Antibiotics can be administered however only to cure disease,  and with the permission of the certifying entity, yet can not be used prophylactically.  However there is a fine line between the two , and the antibiotic course may in essence by used more than it should.  Certain artificial yolk dyes are prohibited, so organic eggs may have lighter yolks than conventional ones, especially if they are not raised on grass.  There is a wide range of systems for organic hens, but most are raised indoors, some may have access to pasture, but this is at the discretion of the producer.

The main advantage of certified organic eggs is that GMO grains are prohibited, and there is a very low chance to get contamination of industrial chemicals such as pesticides and herbicides.

4.   Pastured eggs

Very few eggs actually come from pastured chickens.  It requires a whole new infrastructure, and managing pasture for small animals is not easy.  Grass can quickly turn to dust or mud under the constant pecking of beaks and prodding feet of the hens.  Also hens need protection from predators, so need to have enclosed spaces, especially at night.  Here in Panama hens are preyed upon from a number of animals, ranging from snakes, falcons, foxes,  coyotes, dogs, etc.  Hens from pastured chickens are the only ones that are guaranteed to have access to grass and peck at it and eat worms.  They are ususally also supplemented with feed.  This feed could be conventional feed, organic, or just farm grain or farm scraps like fruits and tubers.  As challenging as raising pastured eggs can be, if properly managed, it does produce the healthier egg.  And if certified organic on top of that, you have a no brainer, since the organic symbol restricts medicines and possibility of chemical contaminants.

To diminish or downright eliminate the use of antibiotics organic farmers frequently use probiotics in feed and water.  This maintains a healthy microbial balance within the whole egg laying operation.  Egg whites are generally denser from pastured chickens and higher in protein, and egg yolks may or may not be darker, depending on what the hens where fed and how the pasture was managed.  But the taste is definitely superior.