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What Does "Free Range", "Pastured" or "Pastured Free-Range" Chicken or Eggs Mean?

"Free Range" refers to chickens being allowed to range freely outdoors where they can eat whatever grass, seeds, insects and worms they choose. This results in more nutritious eggs and meat for consumers, and more healthy, humane conditions for the birds. However, some producers abuse this term and label their chickens and eggs as “free range” when in fact all they have done is open a door to allow their chickens to range in an outdoor area of bare dirt or concrete with no pasture in sight.

Know your farmer and their products. As a consumer, confirm if your eggs or chicken comes from "pastured" or "grass-fed" free-range conditions. Some farmers choose a modified system that involves keeping birds safe from predators by confining them in pens or inside electric fencing and moving the pens frequently onto fresh pastures. Pastured birds may be true free-range or penned, but either system is correctly referred to as “pastured.”

Here at Buffalo Creek Farm and Creamery, LLC our chickens are raised on pasture. They are both happy and healthy. Their eggshells are thicker, whites whiter and the yolks are larger, firmer and a bright orange. (Don't try cooking a white cake with these eggs if you want the layers to be white.) Our Golden Comet hens have the opportunity to forage and interact with other animals throughout the farm. While foraging for grasses/seeds, grubs and insects, the chickens consume approximately 30 percent of their diet. They receive Vitamin D from the sun while getting protein from their "bug" diet. This free ranging reduces the need for supplemental feed and more importantly improves egg flavor. The remainder of their diet consists of locally purchased feed with no antibiotics, added hormones or animal by-products. Chickens also provide a much needed service on the farm - - they help control flies by eating fly larvae and also cultivate and fertilize the pastures. Each egg is washed individually and provided to you in recycled egg cartons.

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Eggs from pastured hens are far richer in vitamin D

Eggs from hens raised outdoors on pasture have from three to six times more vitamin D than eggs from hens raised in confinement. Pastured hens are exposed to direct sunlight, which their bodies convert to vitamin D and then pass on to the eggs.

Vitamin D is best known for its role in building strong bones. New research shows that it can also enhance the immune system, improve mood, reduce blood pressure, combat cancer, and reduce the risk of some autoimmune disorders.

This latest good news about eggs comes from a study just released by Mother Earth News, a magazine that plays a leading role in promoting health-enhancing, natural foods. The editors found that eating just two eggs will give you from 63-126% of the recommended daily intake of vitamin D.

Note that this benefit comes only from hens that are free to graze fresh greens, eat bugs, and bask in the sun. Most of the eggs sold in the supermarket do not meet this criterion. Even though the label says that the eggs are “certified organic” or come from “uncaged” or “free-range” hens or from hens fed an “all-vegetarian” diet, this is no guarantee that the hens had access to the outdoors or pasture.

Look for eggs from “pastured” hens. You are most likely to find these superior eggs at farm stores, farmer’s markets or natural food stores.

We will gladly recycle your egg cartons.  Think of us before you toss!