The price of eggs in the store have increased so high now that my family is considering raising our own chickens for home fresh eggs. When researching farm fresh eggs vs store bought eggs I was surprised at how many differences there really is. This gave me an idea for a blog post!
Why You Should Raise Chickens For Eggs, Rather Than Buying Them From The Store
Store-bought eggs are usually laid by hens confined to cages or in large confined barns (that's called cage-free) never seeing sunlight, which means no Vitamin D in store-bought eggs. However, raising chickens for eggs are richer in color, yolk density, freshness and shell thickness.
You will find that farm fresh eggs have less of the bad stuff in them, like cholesterol and saturated fat. Yet, they have more of the good stuff, like omega-3's and Vitamins A, D, and E. It makes sense when you stop and think about it though.
So, are backyard eggs better than store eggs? I tested both and can conclude that while fresh eggs may not taste different from store eggs, they have a better texture, keep longer and are also more nutritious.
There are several reasons why you may choose to raise chickens for eggs rather than buying them at the store:
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Freshness and Quality: Freshly laid eggs have a different taste, texture, and nutritional value than store-bought eggs. Home-raised eggs are usually richer, more flavorful and more nutritious.
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Control over the chickens diet: When you raise your own chickens, you have control over what they eat, which directly affects the quality of their eggs. You can choose to feed your chickens organic or non-GMO feed, for example, and you'll know exactly what they're consuming.
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Better for the environment: Raising chickens in your own backyard can be more environmentally friendly than buying eggs from large-scale commercial stores. You can reduce waste by composting the chicken manure and using it as fertilizer for your garden and you can go green by having less packaging waste from egg cartons.
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Sense of accomplishment: Raising chickens can be a fulfilling hobby and a great source of pride. You'll have the satisfaction of producing your own food and knowing where it comes from and know that you can thrive in a down economy.
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Reduced cost: Although there is an initial cost associated with setting up a coop and buying chickens, raising your own chickens can actually be more cost-effective in the long run. You'll save money on eggs and you may be able to sell surplus eggs to friends, family or neighbors.
Overall, raising chickens for eggs offers many benefits that go beyond simply providing fresh eggs. Whether you're looking to save money, produce your own food or simply enjoy a new hobby, raising chickens and producing your own food, can be a great choice.
Watch for our next blog on how to get started with raising your own chickens. I'm excited to get these implemented in my own yard.
