Pastured Eggs in Maryland
Healthy Birds, Healthy Food
What are some health reasons for choosing pastured raised eggs?
Higher Omega-3s. ‘”Pasture-raised chickens have been shown to contain up to four times the amount of omega 3 fatty acids, as compared to free-range chicken” (1). They also have the proper ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acids. Together that means eating pasture-raised chicken makes it easier to balance the essential fats in your diet.
More vitamins. “Pasture raised chickens have more vitamins E, C, and beta-carotene’ (2).
Happy and healthier chickens. Chickens raised on pasture have lives that are more normal—they avoid the stresses of caged life, have space to roam, they are not debeaked and do not have clipped wings.
(1) Lopez-Bote, C. J., R.Sanz Arias, A.I. Rey, A. Castano, B. Isabel, J. Thos (1998). “Effect of free-range feeding on omega-3 fatty acids and alpha-tocopherol content and oxidative stability of eggs.” Animal Feed (2) H.D. Karsten, P.H. Patterson, R. Stout and G. Crews (2010). Vitamins A, E and fatty acid composition of the eggs of caged hens and pastured hens. Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems, 25, pp 45-54