Five Benefits of Farm Fresh Eggs
Starting a Flock : Considering Chickens
Flock Management : Egg Benefits
Your family will get so many benefits from farm fresh eggs. They’re one of nature’s most perfect protein sources and a great first step toward backyard self-sufficiency.
The average American eats more than 260 eggs each year.1 How can we take this essential food to the next level? Families across the country have found the answer with farm fresh eggs raised by their own backyard chickens.
At just 70 calories, you can enjoy the health benefits of farm fresh eggs guilt-free. Each large 2-ounce (57 gram) egg provides 6 grams of digestible protein. With 18 of the 20 amino acids and all 10 essential amino acids in abundance, farm fresh eggs have an excellent amino acid profile.2
But not all eggs are created equally. Egg quality, taste and nutrition are connected to what you feed your backyard chickens.
It all starts with the feed given to the hen who lays the farm fresh eggs. People enjoy raising chickens because it gives them the power to decide how the hens are raised. Then, the payoff is fresh eggs with added nutrition and undeniable flavor, and one less item for their grocery list!
Let’s learn about the five key benefits of farm fresh eggs.
This mentality was clear when polling chicken enthusiasts on the Purina Poultry Facebook page. Chicken raisers said: “My chickens are a part of my family. I love choosing everything for them, and my family enjoys the eggs and entertainment they give us.” And “It’s amazing what animals can do for us simply by being themselves.”
Backyard chickens have the power to build a sense of community and local pride. From chicken meet-up groups and coop tours to inclusion in community gardens and school curriculum, these wonderful birds quickly become a part of the communities they live in. Plus, they encourage people to buy and sell locally. You can buy local supplies and sell your extra eggs to help everyone experience farm fresh eggs.
You can enjoy the health benefits of farm fresh eggs each day or you can store them refrigerated for several weeks. When you keep your eggs at the proper temperature in the refrigerator, they won’t “go bad.” You can brush up on farm fresh egg washing and storing best practices here. Having a source of fresh eggs right in the backyard allows families to experiment with new recipes and enjoy eggs whenever they like.
Farm fresh eggs are known for having rich, vibrant yolks and firm, clear whites. This is because specific feed ingredients are responsible for appearance. For example, marigold extract impacts yolk color while added calcium promotes stronger shells.
Speaking of strong shells, all Purina® premium and organic layer feeds contain the exclusive Oyster Strong® System, which provides all the hens in your flock with a unique blend of oyster shell, vitamin D and manganese required for strong shells and healthy hens.
Color and consistency of the yolk and egg are largely due to the chicken’s feed. When you raise backyard hens, you can choose to feed a high-quality complete feed that impacts the quality of the egg.
Ready for your backyard chickens to produce delicious farm fresh eggs with strong shells? Ready to level up with Oyster Strong®? Sign-up for our Feed Greatness® Challenge and receive $6 worth of feed coupons.
1 American Egg Board: Industry Data - American Egg Board (incredibleegg.org).
2 “Egg Nutrition Center.” American Egg Board. http://www.eggnutritioncenter.org/egg-101/. 10 June 2016.
3 When fed a diet of Layena® Omega-3 feed exclusively for at least 3 weeks. Based on large egg (56 g). Results may vary with factors such as total diet and hen health. A typical conventional store-bought egg contains 50 mg of Omega-3 fatty acids per large Egg (USDA: National Nutrient Base)
The average American eats more than 260 eggs each year.1 How can we take this essential food to the next level? Families across the country have found the answer with farm fresh eggs raised by their own backyard chickens.
At just 70 calories, you can enjoy the health benefits of farm fresh eggs guilt-free. Each large 2-ounce (57 gram) egg provides 6 grams of digestible protein. With 18 of the 20 amino acids and all 10 essential amino acids in abundance, farm fresh eggs have an excellent amino acid profile.2
But not all eggs are created equally. Egg quality, taste and nutrition are connected to what you feed your backyard chickens.
It all starts with the feed given to the hen who lays the farm fresh eggs. People enjoy raising chickens because it gives them the power to decide how the hens are raised. Then, the payoff is fresh eggs with added nutrition and undeniable flavor, and one less item for their grocery list!
Let’s learn about the five key benefits of farm fresh eggs.
1. The power to choose
Many chicken raisers have joined the farm fresh egg movement because they can choose everything for their backyard chickens, from housing to healthcare and feed to entertainment. These choices impact the eggs the hens produce and often help them meet backyard self-sufficiency goals.This mentality was clear when polling chicken enthusiasts on the Purina Poultry Facebook page. Chicken raisers said: “My chickens are a part of my family. I love choosing everything for them, and my family enjoys the eggs and entertainment they give us.” And “It’s amazing what animals can do for us simply by being themselves.”
2. Local support
Farm fresh eggs benefit others in your local economy and ecosystem, starting in the backyard and connecting to the community. Chickens can benefit your backyard by naturally fertilizing, managing insects and controlling weeds.Backyard chickens have the power to build a sense of community and local pride. From chicken meet-up groups and coop tours to inclusion in community gardens and school curriculum, these wonderful birds quickly become a part of the communities they live in. Plus, they encourage people to buy and sell locally. You can buy local supplies and sell your extra eggs to help everyone experience farm fresh eggs.
3. Undeniable freshness
Farm fresh eggs can be collected within minutes of being laid, providing convenient, homegrown food – the ultimate goal of backyard self-sufficiency. Backyard chicken raisers enjoy visits to the backyard each morning to greet their pets and gather freshly laid eggs.You can enjoy the health benefits of farm fresh eggs each day or you can store them refrigerated for several weeks. When you keep your eggs at the proper temperature in the refrigerator, they won’t “go bad.” You can brush up on farm fresh egg washing and storing best practices here. Having a source of fresh eggs right in the backyard allows families to experiment with new recipes and enjoy eggs whenever they like.
4. Vibrant yellow yolks
Farm fresh eggs are known for having rich, vibrant yolks and firm, clear whites. This is because specific feed ingredients are responsible for appearance. For example, marigold extract impacts yolk color while added calcium promotes stronger shells.Speaking of strong shells, all Purina® premium and organic layer feeds contain the exclusive Oyster Strong® System, which provides all the hens in your flock with a unique blend of oyster shell, vitamin D and manganese required for strong shells and healthy hens.
Color and consistency of the yolk and egg are largely due to the chicken’s feed. When you raise backyard hens, you can choose to feed a high-quality complete feed that impacts the quality of the egg.
5. Added nutrition
Perhaps the top feel-good reason to produce farm fresh eggs is your ability to modify the nutritional benefits, including added omega-3. In Purina research trials, hens fed Purina® Layena® Omega-3 feed laid eggs with at least 250 milligrams of omega-3 fatty acids.3 Most conventional, store-bought eggs only have 50 milligrams of omega-3 fatty acids. This makes farm fresh eggs from chickens being continuously fed Purina® Layena® Omega-3 feed a nutritious decision that everyone can feel good about.Ready for your backyard chickens to produce delicious farm fresh eggs with strong shells? Ready to level up with Oyster Strong®? Sign-up for our Feed Greatness® Challenge and receive $6 worth of feed coupons.
2 “Egg Nutrition Center.” American Egg Board. http://www.eggnutritioncenter.org/egg-101/. 10 June 2016.
3 When fed a diet of Layena® Omega-3 feed exclusively for at least 3 weeks. Based on large egg (56 g). Results may vary with factors such as total diet and hen health. A typical conventional store-bought egg contains 50 mg of Omega-3 fatty acids per large Egg (USDA: National Nutrient Base)
