Our hens spend at least half the day (weather permitting) totally free-ranging outside of their pens in the fresh air and sunshine. They eat green grass and pasture consisting of alfalfa, clover, flax, buckwheat, and other organic grains and grasses. They free-range in small natural social groups with a rooster, and love to scratch for bugs and flap and dust in the sun. They instinctively want to roost on tree branches at night, so we provide plenty of natural branches in their pens for them to sleep on.

We gently spot clean our eggs with plain water, but never any chemicals, including soap, because egg shells are very porous and we don't want to introduce chemicals or bacteria into an egg. Also, natural eggs are laid with a protective probiotic "bloom" to keep harmful bacteria away from developing chicks. The bloom is removed by vigorous or chemical washing, leaving the egg unprotected.

Eggshell color is determined almost entirely by the genetics of the hen that laid the egg. It can change slightly by season and diet, but the breeding of the bird is the main factor in the color of the egg. Our hens lay beautiful eggs in various shades of brown, blue, and green. Some of our hens lay naturally speckled or mottled eggs.

Red or brown spots occasionally found inside eggs are NOT a sign of a fertile or developing egg. They are caused by the same biological mechanism that colors eggs brown and therefore are more likely to be found in darker brown eggs. These spots are not harmful and may be eaten or scooped out. Fertility is indicated by a pale spot on the yolk, and fertile eggs only show signs of development after prolonged incubation.

	Eggs from other producers, contd. Omega-3 eggs The hens are fed a high level of flax to increase the Omega-3 content of the eggs. The feed also contains conventional GM grains. By the way, hormone-free and steroid-free is meaningless in regards to chickens and eggs. It is illegal to give hormones or steroids to chickens, but producers will often put it on the label to deceive customers into believing that their product is more natural. genetically-modified grains small cages debeaking no sunshine ammonia-laden air insecticides chemicals Amish eggs Amish farmers normally use fairly conventional farming methods (without the heavy machinery). The hens are normally fed conventional genetically modified feeds, and may be given antibiotics, insecticides, and other chemicals. Eggs may also be washed with chemicals. Check with the individual farmer. Important questions to ask about your eggs: 1. Are the chickens fed ORGANIC feeds and grains? 2. Do they free range outdoors in full sun on green vegetation with insects? 3. Do you give insecticides, antibiotics, or medicated feed? Organic eggs The hens are given organic feeds and are supposed to have access to the outdoors. They are not given antibiotics. They are debeaked, kept in a large building with high levels of ammonia and might not go outdoors. Their outdoor area may be small and might not contain any grass or insects. Eggs may also be washed with chemicals. Check with the individual farmer. OUR "BEYOND ORGANIC" EGGS * organic feed and insects * 24hr. access to fresh greens * NO genetically-modified grains * sunshine * fresh clean air * natural social groups * cruelty-free * antibiotic-free * insecticide-free * chemical-free * BEAUTIFUL MULTI-COLORED EGGS! One of our hens teaching chicks to forage.