True Pasture Raised Eggs

Daryl Mast
Sep 26, 2024
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Pasture Raised Eggs

This is not meant to be a ‘I’m-better-than-you’ post. But it might come across that way…and I guess that’s okay.

Our family, Party of Seven Farm, has been selling fresh eggs for a good portion of this year. To be more specific, fresh pasture-raised eggs. When the grass began to grow this spring, the hens were moved from the barn to the pasture. The ‘magic’ of electrified poultry netting, allows us to contain the hens in an area. It also protects the hens from outside predators, ie. foxes, dogs, etc.

Eggs are gathered by hand, washed by hand, and packed into cartons or trays by hand. Earlier this year we visited a duck farm. Not to see the ducks, but to see the automated egg washer they used. There were several thousand ducks in the building. The farm had 2 primary buyers for their duck eggs. One of the buyers sold the eggs as Pasture Raised Eggs. However, the ducks were in a duck house. (a large commercial building like a chicken house…but with ducks). Do you see the dilemma? How can you have pasture-raised eggs when the ducks are inside? Inquiring minds want to know…I wanted to know…so I asked.

The answer was/is a bit disturbing. It brings to mind words like crooked, deceiving, and B.S. When the buyer that labeled the eggs as pasture-raised ordered eggs from this particular farm. The farm would open small doors on the side of the duck house that lead out to a small patch of grass adjacent to the building. Most of the ducks probably never went outside. But hey, they had access to a patch of grass…so the ‘Pasture Raised Egg’ label was acceptable.

I knew this type of nonsense was a thing. And this is just one example of many nonsensical ‘things’ that go on with our food labeling.

Anyway, this is what was rolling around in my mind this afternoon. So, if you’re interested in True Pasture Raised Eggs…we have them. Look for the PSF-Free Range Eggs on our menu. We would love for you to give them a try. Our hens are on pasture for most of the year. We do bring them inside over the winter as the pasture lays dormant.

Next month we will be getting more chicks. These chicks will be a new layer flock for us next spring.

A big thanks to all of you who have been purchasing our eggs…we appreciate you!

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