Eggs, free range, or doesn't it matter?

Lysander

Lysander

Lysander

Capodecina
Soldato
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Flatland
Looks like tomorrow we will be having lots of scrambled eggs in Flatland. But when you buy yours are you concerned with where they come from?

I always buy free range and I always get concerned for the "caged hens". Even if I have little money I always buy the free range ones.

Do you care which type you buy or are you indifferent?
 
I'm not too bothered however the gf is.

Free range taste notably better however and thus I now get them when I can.
 
I buy free range personally, though tbh unless you are getting them direct from the farm then free-range isn't what you think it should be as the regulations for an egg to called free-range still don't allow a lot of room per hen really.
 
SilverTongue said:
I buy free range personally, though tbh unless you are getting them direct from the farm then free-range isn't what you think it should be as the regulations for an egg to called free-range still don't allow a lot of room per hen really.
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This is what I was wondering. How much space do they have to fall under the free range criterion?
 
My parents keep chickens, they are well fed, free to roam and have everything a chicken could ever desire.....

Their eggs taste no better than what I get from the supermarket
 
Lysander said:
This is what I was wondering. How much space do they have to fall under the free range criterion?
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The minimum is 10 square meters per hen (I honestly thought it was less than this) however there are also less humane techniques carried out on the hens even in free-range, such as beak trimming in order to prevent feather pecking and cannibalism

Having done research into free-range eggs it has made want to go direct to the farm and see how the hens are treated before buying my eggs
 
After owning chickens, I always get free range. We let ours around the garden in the day and didn't feed them layer pellets. The result was very deep orange yolks - really tasty. I've no idea why farmers recommend layer pellets. We got just as many eggs without them and they were much nicer looking.
 
Clarence court eggs, blue carton in Sainsbury or Waitrose. Also get free range eggs from the farm, but they aren't as good as the rare breed eggs that Clarence court do. God amongst eggs, even if they do get extra feed.
So of course it matters, both taste and welfare.

http://www.clarencecourt.co.uk/our-farms/
 
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We have kept chickens for years and recently the fox killed them all and so currently we'e on supermarket eggs. I have tried every type and make of free range commonly available and they all taste like pale imitations of our own eggs. I don't think it's about how much freedom they have but entirely about diet, ours ate a high corn diet the rest of the food was high quality layers pellets. Maybe the fact that our birds were rare breed mixed use birds as opposed to an egg laying breed may have made a differnce to.

As soon as it's convenient we'll be going back to raising our own again.
 
PlacidCasual said:
We have kept chickens for years and recently the fox killed them all and so currently we'e on supermarket eggs. I have tried every type and make of free range commonly available and they all taste like pale imitations of our own eggs. I don't think it's about how much freedom they have but entirely about diet, ours ate a high corn diet the rest of the food was high quality layers pellets. Maybe the fact that our birds were rare breed mixed use birds as opposed to an egg laying breed may have made a differnce to.

As soon as it's convenient we'll be going back to raising our own again.
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Get out of Tesco as they don't stock any even half reasonable eggs and get your hands on CLARENCE COURT® OLD COTSWOLD LEGBAR HEN EGGS

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Better eggs than anything else, my sister has chickens and these are better. Wonder if the unusual breed has anything to do with it.
 
Tappits said:
An egg is and egg and its down to your moral values more than anything when you buy them.
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I used to think this, then I started buying free range from a local farm (the chickens are walking all over the place when you go in, you have to be careful not to run them over!).

But now I can taste the difference, a free range egg often has a much bolder and creamier taste than caged.

Not to mention the size difference, a half dozen "XXL" from the supermarket is the same as a half dozen small free range. The XXL free range cant even close the lid on the box!!
 
PlacidCasual said:
We have kept chickens for years and recently the fox killed them all and so currently we'e on supermarket eggs. I have tried every type and make of free range commonly available and they all taste like pale imitations of our own eggs. I don't think it's about how much freedom they have but entirely about diet, ours ate a high corn diet the rest of the food was high quality layers pellets. Maybe the fact that our birds were rare breed mixed use birds as opposed to an egg laying breed may have made a differnce to.

As soon as it's convenient we'll be going back to raising our own again.
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Do you think the freshness might have been a contributory factor too?
 
Free range organic here from Able & Cole.

My missus ordered some a while ago to be delivered with our veg box and there is no way I am going back. The first time I cooked with them I though something was wrong as the yolk was so yellow.

They do taste better than anything I have had before, though I would prefer a local supplier. On the occasion that I make egg mayo and bacon sandwiches for work, I do have to warn people as along with the enhanced taste, is also an increased eggy smell.
 
Contrary to popular belief not all eggs are born equal.

Caged hens are on a relatively poor diet, it's sort of bare minimum - lots of fish protein and stuff. Which is fine but it results in an inferior egg when you compare to free range and organic.

I tend to buy free range from the butchers or from the old dear round the corner, - £1.50 for 6.

In terms of baking eggs I won't use anything other than duck eggs - the yolks are richer and fattier which results in better cakes.

Always better to keep eggs at room temperature and never wash them by the way, cold temperature breaks down the proteins and ruins the flavour, to wash an egg (except in certain conditions as industry do) you remove the antibacterial coating naturally on a fresh egg. A bit of chicken crap is better than spoiling your eggs.

In terms of morals it's the same with meat - if I won't rear an animal like that, and I wouldn't kill and butcher it. I won't eat it.
 
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We have an egg man who brings us fresh free range eggs every 2 days for our B&B. We have seen his farm and they just roam everywhere they like, are fed on high quality food and corn. Dont know what type they are but they do taste many % better than supermarket versions, these are also a lot larger and a lot cheaper than supermarket ones.
 
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