Some Eggcellent Questions
I have really enjoyed hearing from customers who have tried the eggs and are very happy with their quality and taste. They have noted many differences when compared to store bought eggs. I have had some frequent questions and it's likely other people are wondering the same things. I have answered a few of the more common egg questions below.
Why do you have different colored eggs?
We have a variety of chickens and their breed determines the color of the egg. Some lay white, some lay brown and then we have one that lays green eggs. They all eat the same food and have access to the same things - so the eggs are all the same except for the color.
Why is it harder to crack these eggs?
Fresh eggs that are produced by chickens that are able to forage will have harder eggs. Naturally occurring calcium is what makes them harder. Often large production centers need to supplement their chickens with oyster shells to keep the eggs from being too soft.
What are the little white lines that I see by the yolk?
This white band is called the chalaza and it helps suspend the yolk in the middle of the egg. It is often present in fresh eggs, but will disappear over time. You don't see the chalaza that often in store bought eggs because they aren't as fresh.
What was that red spot on the yolk of one of my eggs?
It is called a blood spot. These are caused by the rupture of a blood vessel on the yolk surface as the egg is being formed or a similar incident along the wall of the oviduct as the egg is being formed. The blood spot can very rarely cause the entire yolk to be red in color. The blood spot is not an indication of a fertilized egg. The egg is ok to eat and the blood spot can often be removed with just the tip of a knife.
Are your eggs fertilized?
We do have a few roosters to help protect the hens, so there is a good chance that most of the eggs are fertilized. There is no development of the embryo as the eggs are collected and refrigerated right away.
Why are the eggs different sizes?
Just as people are different, so are the chickens. They all lay different eggs that vary in size from day to day. The large chicken egg operations use the exact same type of chicken that is bred to produce eggs in a very consistent manner.
Why are the yolks such a vibrant color?
The yellow to orange color of a yolk is determined by how much carotenoid pigment is present in the chicken's diet. Our chickens get this from eating green plants like the grass in which they can forage. Eggs produced in this manner will often have a more vibrant color.