Me Against Eggland's Best UPDATE #51

Well, after having read through this entire thread, (very rare for me if it's over 20 posts), I have to say that if my hens stopped laying completely, the eggs I would buy would be EB eggs.

There is absolutely no doubt that they are healthier than other eggs.

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Yes, there has been a lot of press in the past decade about the problems associated with feeding animals to animals and the public is growing more concerned about such practices, whether it is natural or not.

The USDA national organic standards do not allow mammalian or poultry by-products to be be fed to livestock. I'm not sure what else that leaves for animals except fish protein. My organic co-op does not even allow fish protein for layers.

It should be noted that amongst all the niche labeling, e.g. cage free, vegetarian fed, all natural, etc, the USDA Certified Organic label covers them all except for fortified egg production. Obviously any of the production methods can produce omega-3 and vitamin enriched eggs with the proper feed supplements.

"All Natural" is just a step above econo egg production, they keep the hens in cages and feed them natural grains with no industry by-products.

"Cage Free" is the next step up and a little more expensive, the birds are floor raised as in a breeder-layer facility, except without all the roosters.

"USDA Certified Organic" eggs are laid by cage free hens, with access to the outdoors as seasonally appropriate, and are fed certified organic rations where animal by-products are not allowed.

"USDA Certified Organic Omega-3 Fortified Eggs" hold the top niche along with the most expensive price. Flax seed is an expensive supplement and the flocks generally don't perform as well with the flax seed in the ration.

There are also animal welfare standards that most of the major egg producers follow. There is a United Egg Producers certification that cab be obtained from the UEP or there are independent certifiers such as American Humane that will certify egg producers that meet their animal welfare standards.

The UEP standards are here: http://www.uepcertified.com/media/pdf/UEP-Animal-Welfare-Guidelines.pdf

The UEP standards very closely parallel American Humane standards with only minor differences.

Does your production do as well or better than these standards?

You do know your stuff sir.

I've never bought EB. Before my ladies were laying I bought Sauder's Organic Eggs. http://sauderseggs.com/organic_eggs.html
The yolks are actually more orange than EB's eggs, but still, I'm glad I don't have to buy them anymore.

For the love of God! Why the heck did I watch those videos even though it said WARNING! Am I stupid or what!

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Thank you that is what im trying to get at .

--- You know maybe this should not just be about Egglands best , maybe i should go to all the egg producers . Because in all reality , they do yet battle each other and dont bring in local farms.... But they still consider us raising our own chickens and eggs "ordinary eggs "

Well I for one applaud your passion and efforts regarding this. All too many times people will become become interested in a cause, an injustice, and then do nothing about it. You on the other hand, are taking it to the next level. It doesn't matter if anyone agrees with you or not, it matters what you think.

If the Eggland's is true that is really a good bit better than reg store bought eggs in the way that it counts -Omega 3's which come frm free range. Grass for one. While I appreciate the MotherEarth websites coverage it was short on true facts. Such as the Omega 3 ct the Folate ct. etc. I would like to run those test on my own eggs. Who could do that?

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My customers recommend Eggland's Best when I am unable to meet their demand - there aren't many people around here who sell their eggs and I benefit by my customers giving me their empty tri-fold containers when they have them! I think it was nice that they responded to your letter makes me like them that much more. I like to think of them as a company who is willing to help out the masses by providing a superior product to the others in the grocery stores. On the other side of the fence I worked at a commercial egg farm as a teenager so I know how bad they can be.

IMHO they are saying ordinary for what most people buy which is store bought eggs not back yard eggs. As for being Eggland's Best that is just the name of the company. I also think this is another case of someone that doesn't like something and they want to impose thier beliefs on someone else. They are doing what they need to do to sale eggs just like any other company. If you don't like what they are doing just don't buy from them. If anything you should be on the other major egg suppliers asking them why they aren't as good a Eggland's. I see people on here all the time trying to figure out how they can get chickens into thier towns or bringing them into towns that don't allow them. Everyone wants to change things to better suit them. I bught my first house 2 years ago. I knew when I was looking if I bought a house in town I wouldn't be able to keep animals. Not just because laws and all that but also because I wouldn't like it if I lived there and then someone came in who thought they could just do whatever. That's why I bought out in the country and that's why so many states have a right to farm act. So city people who move to the country can't start a big fuss over a farm. I say live and let live if it doesn't hurt you then leave it alone. So many people just want to start drama.