{"id":3872,"date":"2021-08-12T11:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-08-12T16:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/chikchikchicken.com\/?p=3872"},"modified":"2021-08-08T21:35:51","modified_gmt":"2021-08-09T02:35:51","slug":"egg-carton-labels-meanings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/chikchikchicken.com\/index.php\/2021\/08\/12\/egg-carton-labels-meanings\/","title":{"rendered":"Egg Carton Labels Meanings"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Have you ever wondered about the different egg carton labels and what they mean? If you have backyard chickens, hopefully, you are getting plenty of fresh eggs. However, with molting season<\/a> coming up then winter, you may have to supplement and buy eggs from the store. How do you know which ones are best? With all the different labels it can be confusing.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When purchasing eggs, look for the certified humane logo. This is the best possible scenario for commercial eggs. But what about the other egg carton labels? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

No Real Egg Carton Labels – Just Description<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The carton doesn’t really have a “label.” The packaging may say fresh eggs and the Grade but that’s it. These are produced by battery hens. Battery hens are kept in a large building about the size of a football field. They are in cages that are \u00bd\u00a0 square foot per bird, smaller than a sheet of paper. They aren\u2019t able to move, stretch their legs or wings and there are no nest boxes. Many times food is withheld to force a molt. The conditions are so horrible that they are treated frequently with antibiotics because of disease and illness.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cage-Free<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This is just a step up from the battery cage. They are in the same type of building as mentioned above but there may be 100,000 birds in the building with no nest area or perches.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They do have access to the floor and a small door that they could go out. However, with so many birds in the building, most will not even realize there is a door. So the birds are not necessarily seeing any outdoor time. Lots of time, producers will find a dead bird but will have no idea how long it\u2019s been there.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Organic<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Organic doesn\u2019t mean access to the outdoors. It strictly refers to what they are eating. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While what they are eating is important, don\u2019t get it confused with free-range or pasture-raised. Organic means no hormones or antibiotics. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Plus to obtain an organic label, no pesticides can be used in the chicken area for the last 3 years.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vegetarian <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Just like organic, Vegetarian refers to what they are eating and not the conditions in which they are raised. Chickens are usually fed a grain\/plant-based industrial feed that does not contain animal by-products. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Omega 3 enriched<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Eggs that have the Omega 3 label are produced by hens whose diet has been supplemented with flaxseed. These eggs will contain more Omega 3 and be heart-healthy. Again, doesn\u2019t mean pasture-raised or free-range.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Free-range <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The free-range label means the hens have access to the outdoors for at least 6 hrs a day. There is a minimum of 2 sq feet of outdoor space per bird. This is better than the other labels but we recommend 10 square feet per bird. With this label, the chickens do get to eat bugs, worms, lizards, and other pests and get to “be chickens.” Also, free-ranging is great for the health of the bird.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pasture-raised<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The term pasture-raised is more of what you think when you hear free-range. Although there is no time frame defined on how much outdoor time is required, hens will enjoy 108 sq feet per bird (more than my girls). These are the optimum conditions for laying hens. Less stress, less illness, and just better!\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Certified humane<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you can find eggs with this label, it\u2019s the best. Certified humane have strict guidelines in order to receive this label. A few are:  <\/p>\n\n\n\n