Guest guest Posted November 16, 2003 Report Share Posted November 16, 2003 Certified organic means that the chickens were fed only organic feed and not given any alleopathic medications. Keep in mind that certified organic eggs can come from hens who never touch the earth, and while most organic producers wouldn't cage their hens, as the market for organic expands, there will be some producers who meet the technical guidelines but miss the spirit of organic altogether. The problem is that you can't tell how the hens are treated unless you visit the farm. Free-range is a similarly gray term, and I don't know the exact guideline, but it is my understanding that as long as their feet touch the ground for some period of the day, the hens can be called free-range. This means that the hens can still be overcrowded and/or caged some of the time, and they can be fed anything or medicated. Not all are like this, but again, you can't know unless you check it out personally. We raise chickens, and they are allowed to run loose all day, eating bugs and grass and all the things God meant for chickens to eat. We can't get organic grain around here, so they get a little bit of grain in the evenings, and we keep them in a spacious pen overnight for their own protection. The egg yolks are dark yellow, almost orange, because of all the beta-carotene in the hens' diet. Personally, I think these are the best eggs. If you know someone who raises chickens (and lets them run loose) and you trust the way they raise their hens, I would choose these eggs over organic from the store any day. Of course, this isn't an option for a lot of people, so organic would be the next best choice. At least you know that the hens' bodies aren't being polluted, even if you can't be sure what quality of life they have. Just my two cents :-) Betsy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 18, 2003 Report Share Posted November 18, 2003 Try this http://www.ams.usda.gov/farmersmarkets/States/Massachusetts.htmDrCrandall <drcrandall wrote: I'll do that. I did look around yesterday and found a farm in ME but they're small and don't ship to MA, which is where I am. I'm sure there's something around here. I'd just thought the 'free range' that I was buying was good enough. But, I was cooking them, which I won't be doing anymore. Thanks again for your help, Anna Federal Law requires that we warn you of the following: 1. Natural methods can sometimes backfire. 2. If you are pregnant, consult your physician before using any natural remedy. 3. The Constitution guarantees you the right to be your own physician and toprescribe for your own health. We are not medical doctors although MDs are welcome to post here as long as they behave themselves. Any opinions put forth by the list members are exactly that, and any person following the advice of anyone posting here does so at their own risk. It is up to you to educate yourself. By accepting advice or products from list members, you are agreeing to be fully responsible for your own health, and hold the List Owner and members free of any liability. Dr. Ian ShillingtonDoctor of NaturopathyDr.IanShillington Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 18, 2003 Report Share Posted November 18, 2003 Speaking of yoke color. When Valorie and I had our chickens, I mixed some "Habanero" cayenne powder in with their feed for a couple of weeks and the yokes turned a bright redish yellow. More red than yellow ;o) This was in the middle of winter when production can slow down, and the amount of eggs picked up too. Love, Doc Ian "Doc" Shillington N.D.505-772-5889Dr.IanShillington - DrCrandall herbal remedies Monday, November 17, 2003 5:28 PM RE: [herbal remedies] Organic eggs Thanks so much for all your help with organic eggs. Ilearned a lot! I finally found some today at the health food store. Theywere in a different place then the regular eggs and they'resold by the half dozen. Pricey, but I always say 'spend ithere, or at the Medicos'!! I'll be anxious to see the colorof the yolks.I'll start looking for a local supplier.Anna Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 18, 2003 Report Share Posted November 18, 2003 If anything, it made the eggs more flavorful and a little stronger. ) Doc Ian "Doc" Shillington N.D.505-772-5889Dr.IanShillington - John Ybarra herbal remedies Tuesday, November 18, 2003 9:43 AM Re: [herbal remedies] Organic eggs Did it change the flavour at all? We get organic eggs from our pastor. He "free-ranges" his chickens, not for any health reason, just that for him it is cheaper. And he gives away any amount of eggs that are over what his family can consume. I might suggest this to him. John"Dr. Ian Shillington" <Dr.IanShillington wrote: Speaking of yoke color. When Valorie and I had our chickens, I mixed some "Habanero" cayenne powder in with their feed for a couple of weeks and the yokes turned a bright redish yellow. More red than yellow ;o) This was in the middle of winter when production can slow down, and the amount of eggs picked up too. Love, Doc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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