where to buy free range eggs! [General]
2012 Oct 19
Haha, I was going to reply, but I knew Zym would ask exactly what he did...I don't really know the answer, but I eat bekings regularly and enjoy them. True free range? Not too sure, but I like them and they are reasonably priced. I get them at the Beckwith Butcher.
I've also bought PC "free range", but I don't think they are truly free range...but I preferred the bekings eggs...
I've also bought PC "free range", but I don't think they are truly free range...but I preferred the bekings eggs...
2012 Oct 22
peppermonster If you are looking for tasty and local I would also put in a vote for Bekings Farms eggs. And if I may put in a shameless plug for a vendor who is also a regular contributor on this site organicgirl's laying hens produce the best eggs I have ever tasted. You can find her at the Organic Farmers Market at the Funny Duck Farms stall.
2012 Oct 22
Do Bekings really taste any different? They are afterall pretty much a standard factory egg. While visiting the in-laws this summer I had the pleasure of eating their eggs. There was a pretty enourmous difference in flavour but those animals are raised basically pastured. See this video for details
I am doubtful that someone could taste a difference in Bekings in a blind taste test.
I am doubtful that someone could taste a difference in Bekings in a blind taste test.
2012 Oct 22
zymurgist There was a little debate going on about Bekings Farms eggs awhile back - it's in the second link you posted further upthread. I believe the Bekings Farms chickens are free to roam in the barn but are not allowed outside. I'm not sure if they would taste any better than your MIL's eggs. But compared to grocery store eggs they taste better IMO. The yolks are a much deeper yellow and the eggs are much tastier but I have not done a side-by-side taste test. Organicgirl's eggs are infinitely tastier but I'm not sure how she raises her hens. I'm hoping she will surf in and enlighten us...
2012 Oct 22
I have been meaning to add my 2 cents to this, but man, fall is a busy time of year for us! And we’ve had to create totally new winter pastures this year for our pigs and cows because the drought (and some errant pigs) left our winter pastures looking awful.
I was told at one point by another farmer that a certain large egg producer likes to be present at local farmers markets to prevent the selling of eggs outside the quota system. Don’t have that one direct from the source (the large egg producer), so do your own research on that count.
I could be wrong (I often am, and maybe things have changed since I last talked to grading stations and big egg producers about this) but I am pretty sure that some of the big egg producers around here anyway, buy certified organic eggs from small producers like me. So, you would get good quality, but the freshness may not be there. This is because the eggs wait until there are enough organic eggs to justify an ‘organic run’ on the grading line. They have to shut everything down and make sure all the chemical sanitizer and conventional egg residue is gone from the grading equipment before grading the organic eggs. It’s a big process, so they won’t do it for just s few dozen. So sometimes the organic eggs aren’t as fresh as the mainstream conventional eggs.
I have also heard of large-scale organic producers raising super huge flocks with only tiny porches or tiny doors for chickens to go outside. Seems odd to me. I know a number of conventional farmers who buy ready to lay hens. These birds have NEVER been outdoors, and probably generations before them have not been outdoors either. They bring these ‘indoor’ birds home, show them the coop, and within a day or sometimes hours, they are exploring outside.
I can also say that about two years ago, a new form was added to our annual organic certification application. Farmers now have to log how often their chickens are outdoors, and how many are outside. It’s geared towards the really big egg producers, to be sure that the flock IS going outside. If the records show that they are never out, are out seldom, or few are out, it becomes a red flag and must be addressed and the problem fixed by the farmer.
Places like Organic Meadows that are more like farmer co-ops are the same. They want farmers who are passionate about organic farming and best practices for the animals, so farmers who join with the idea of premium prices just because it’s organic are weeded out quickly when it’s discovered that hens don’t go outdoors. Same goes for the milk producers with Organic Meadows.
There is a brand called Small Flocks Delight or something like that, who runs chickens outdoors on pasture on a large enough scale to provide eggs for the supermarkets. They might be worth looking into. Fresh, local, and I’m pretty sure they use GMO free feed. I have also been told by one of my customers that they were pretty good. Haven't tried them myself. ;-)
Our eggs are always in short supply, and we’re really expensive, (feed prices are high right now and we’re a two more seasons away from growing our own feed) so we probably aren’t your best source for eggs.
But, as asked, here’s how we raise them. And thank you for the compliments Pasta Lover and blubarry, I’m blushing!! Our hens have access to the great outdoors year round. The younger hens in a permanent coop, and older hens in a portable coop, which my husband fondly calls the retirement home. The outdoor access is WAY better in the summer of course, because there is grass, bugs, frogs, and anything else that comes across their path. As my husband says, “If chickens were bigger, we’d all be afraid!” Wouldn’t want to be lying on the ground unconscious and bleeding around chickens, lol!
In the summer, I milk our cows between 4 – 5 am, and the hens are always outside and about before I’m out there. We never close the coop door. Some of the hens like to de-bug the grass all day, some prefer to hang out in the forest, so there is always different coloured shells and yolks. Spring, summer, and early fall yolks are THE best! So dark and rich! This time of year we begin to limit their time on the grass as then hens can do much damage when the grass needs to be resting up for winter.
In the winter, we have a large run for them, and we make sure that they always have lots of hay on the ground. The hens like to be out in the winter, but prefer to walk on hay, not through deep snow. We also enclose part of the outer coop with old greenhouse plastic, so on the days where there is freezing rain or gale force winds, they have an outdoor spot that’s more sheltered. They also like to hang out with the hogs in the winter, as the hogs root down through the snow and below the frost line to where some of the bugs like to winter. Adds a bit of extra protein to their winter diet!
There are lots of small farms out there raising eggs the way we do. Trouble for consumers is, they just don't raise many hens, so supply is never enough to meet demand.
I was told at one point by another farmer that a certain large egg producer likes to be present at local farmers markets to prevent the selling of eggs outside the quota system. Don’t have that one direct from the source (the large egg producer), so do your own research on that count.
I could be wrong (I often am, and maybe things have changed since I last talked to grading stations and big egg producers about this) but I am pretty sure that some of the big egg producers around here anyway, buy certified organic eggs from small producers like me. So, you would get good quality, but the freshness may not be there. This is because the eggs wait until there are enough organic eggs to justify an ‘organic run’ on the grading line. They have to shut everything down and make sure all the chemical sanitizer and conventional egg residue is gone from the grading equipment before grading the organic eggs. It’s a big process, so they won’t do it for just s few dozen. So sometimes the organic eggs aren’t as fresh as the mainstream conventional eggs.
I have also heard of large-scale organic producers raising super huge flocks with only tiny porches or tiny doors for chickens to go outside. Seems odd to me. I know a number of conventional farmers who buy ready to lay hens. These birds have NEVER been outdoors, and probably generations before them have not been outdoors either. They bring these ‘indoor’ birds home, show them the coop, and within a day or sometimes hours, they are exploring outside.
I can also say that about two years ago, a new form was added to our annual organic certification application. Farmers now have to log how often their chickens are outdoors, and how many are outside. It’s geared towards the really big egg producers, to be sure that the flock IS going outside. If the records show that they are never out, are out seldom, or few are out, it becomes a red flag and must be addressed and the problem fixed by the farmer.
Places like Organic Meadows that are more like farmer co-ops are the same. They want farmers who are passionate about organic farming and best practices for the animals, so farmers who join with the idea of premium prices just because it’s organic are weeded out quickly when it’s discovered that hens don’t go outdoors. Same goes for the milk producers with Organic Meadows.
There is a brand called Small Flocks Delight or something like that, who runs chickens outdoors on pasture on a large enough scale to provide eggs for the supermarkets. They might be worth looking into. Fresh, local, and I’m pretty sure they use GMO free feed. I have also been told by one of my customers that they were pretty good. Haven't tried them myself. ;-)
Our eggs are always in short supply, and we’re really expensive, (feed prices are high right now and we’re a two more seasons away from growing our own feed) so we probably aren’t your best source for eggs.
But, as asked, here’s how we raise them. And thank you for the compliments Pasta Lover and blubarry, I’m blushing!! Our hens have access to the great outdoors year round. The younger hens in a permanent coop, and older hens in a portable coop, which my husband fondly calls the retirement home. The outdoor access is WAY better in the summer of course, because there is grass, bugs, frogs, and anything else that comes across their path. As my husband says, “If chickens were bigger, we’d all be afraid!” Wouldn’t want to be lying on the ground unconscious and bleeding around chickens, lol!
In the summer, I milk our cows between 4 – 5 am, and the hens are always outside and about before I’m out there. We never close the coop door. Some of the hens like to de-bug the grass all day, some prefer to hang out in the forest, so there is always different coloured shells and yolks. Spring, summer, and early fall yolks are THE best! So dark and rich! This time of year we begin to limit their time on the grass as then hens can do much damage when the grass needs to be resting up for winter.
In the winter, we have a large run for them, and we make sure that they always have lots of hay on the ground. The hens like to be out in the winter, but prefer to walk on hay, not through deep snow. We also enclose part of the outer coop with old greenhouse plastic, so on the days where there is freezing rain or gale force winds, they have an outdoor spot that’s more sheltered. They also like to hang out with the hogs in the winter, as the hogs root down through the snow and below the frost line to where some of the bugs like to winter. Adds a bit of extra protein to their winter diet!
There are lots of small farms out there raising eggs the way we do. Trouble for consumers is, they just don't raise many hens, so supply is never enough to meet demand.
2012 Oct 22
FWIW I buy Braeburn Farms brand at Metro if i dont get to Herb and Spice to get Bekings. I could not taste the difference or see a difference in yolk colour. OTOH ive also bought PC Organic eggs and the yolks were very pale. The best eggs are still ungraded farm gate eggs from small producers IMO. Sadly my source stopped raising laying hens after a run in with the egg police..
2012 Oct 22
Thanks so much organic girl; It's very enlightening to hear the effort that goes into your beautiful tasting eggs. I don't think they are expensive, and the taste is worth it for me, as I mainly enjoy eggs with my breakfast about 2 days a week, and the flavour makes them a real treat. Will have to get to the organic market earlier and more often!
2012 Oct 22
Personally, I don't find Bekings taste different than Braeburn, and certainly not as good as farm eggs. Beking's do have stiffer whites, which I take to mean they are fresher, but I am no expert. Again, in my opinion, Bekings are not worth the premium.
I get my eggs from Rockinghorse farms (but only in the summer months as part of the CSA). I believe she participates in year round markets in the far west (like Arnprior area)
I get my eggs from Rockinghorse farms (but only in the summer months as part of the CSA). I believe she participates in year round markets in the far west (like Arnprior area)
2012 Oct 22
FWIW I buy Braeburn Farms brand at Metro if i dont get to Herb and Spice to get Bekings. I could not taste the difference or see a difference in yolk colour. OTOH ive also bought PC Organic eggs and the yolks were very pale. The best eggs are still ungraded farm gate eggs from small producers IMO. Sadly my source stopped raising laying hens after a run in with the egg police..
2012 Oct 26
I belong to Ontario Natural Food Coop (www.onfc.ca). They will deliver to your door and have at least two sources for organic eggs. I just received my first eggs from Small Flocks Delight yesterday-looking forward to trying them. We have a group of about 8 people and we order from the Coop about every 5 weeks. Each month there are case specials. Not cheap but usually better than health food store prices. My eggs were $5.50/dozen large.
peppermonster
Thanks in advance.