Fun FACT
Why do Free-range eggs Cost more?
First of all, one must clarify what a real free-range chicken is. If you are buying eggs commercially, you are probably not buying a true free range egg. These birds are probably free run, predominately, grain fed and maybe allowed to run (“weather-permitting”) outside. Most free-range eggs come from small-flock farmers, who are only allowed to have 100 birds. Often these birds are more apt to be fed grass and a variety of other natural foods.
1) Egg-grading is not fair. Small flock growers spend almost $1 per dozen to have their eggs graded, while factory farmers pay a fraction of that cost.
2) Since free-range eggs are layed in real nests, usually on the ground, they are dirtier and require more cleaning. Battery eggs come out very clean, since they are layed on wire cages.
3) It takes more effort per bird to raise them, since the flocks are not robot, mechanical, automatic operations.
4) Most growers like to raise their birds from start to finish, so that requires around 20 weeks to get them laying.
5) Because the birds are more naturally raised, they produce longer than battery chickens, but have periods of the year when they slow down, especially winter. The birds must still be cared for and fed.
Rick Cornelissen, local farmer