Free Range Eggs

How do I tell if an egg is free range?

A quick look on any supermarket shelf will show you that many producers
claim to be selling free range eggs. But the only way to be sure in Victoria, is to look for the logo of the Free Range Farmers Association. Accredited farms are inspected every year to ensure they comply with the requirements of the Association. A pretty picture on the pack isn't a good guide because you may not be able to trust the label. Neither is yolk colour, because it varies with the time of year and the availability of green grass. If the yolks always look the same, the producer is probably using colouring additives in the chook feed. The major problem is that in Australia there is no legal national definition of the term  'free range' which makes it almost impossible to  maintain accountability in the industry. Almost any eggs can be  packaged as free range and there's not much even the ACCC can do unless it can prove deceptive conduct! Have your say on the forum on the next page - or on the  freeranger blog.


What's  the difference between free range and ordinary  eggs?
 
Most eggs are laid by hens kept in cages in factory farms or shut in barns. Because they are so closely confined, they must be de-beaked (or 'beak-trimmed' is the term preferred by the industry) to prevent them from attacking and possibly eating each other. Traditional free  range farms have low stocking densities, free access to pasture and good  animal husbandry practices. No hens on a real free range farm are  beak trimmed because they have plenty of room to escape from any aggressive birds.
Without full beaks they are unable to forage properly and it is quite pathetic watching a bird which has been beak-trimmed trying to pick up a worm! The diet of beak trimmed birds is essentially the same as those kept in cages even though they may have more freedom to wander around - so the nutritional value of the intensive 'free range' eggs is exactly the same as cage eggs.
Unfortunately, in Australia, consumers are being mislead by many producers who label their eggs as 'free range' even though the hens are beak trimmed and are run intensively. One well known producer in New South Wales proudly announces on its website that it runs up to four hens per square metre (40,000 hens per hectare). And on its Facebook page revealed that it actually runs 50,000 hens per hectare.
The Australian Egg Corporation knows about it, the Federal Minister for Agriculture knows about it, the State Agriculture Ministers know about it ... but everyone turns a blind eye!   
Another egg producer who claims to be free range and sells eggs through Farmers' Markets throughout Melbourne, proudly announced at an egg industry workshop that during summer his farm was always a dustbowl and he had no grass - but he still labels his eggs as free range! 


 Why are free range eggs more expensive than ordinary eggs?
Production costs are higher because traditional free range farms are generally smaller and always more labour intensive than cage or barn-laid farms. Feed, replacement birds, packaging--virtually everything  is more expensive for free range operators because of the relatively low volume of  production. It's obviously far less costly per egg, to have 100,000 hens locked in sheds with automtic feeding and egg collection systems compared with a farm where individual flocks are smaller and the hens are out on the paddocks grazing all day.  Compliance with food safety standards are the same for all legitimate producers but the relative costs are higher for free range farmers. As with most things in life -- you get what you pay for. But don't think eggs are free range just because the label says so and they are more expensive!


Are free range eggs better than cage  eggs?
There has been little scientific evidence to demonstrate the  nutritional difference between eggs produced on different farms. However, some  research in Europe and the US indicates that free range eggs are better for you and has shown some interesting results. Industry heavyweights argue that there is no nutritional difference and they point to some studies which support their view. But what they don't say is that in all the studies they cite, the 'free range' birds were beak trimmed - so they couldn't forage properly and could essentially only eat the same feed as chooks in cages. No wonder there was no nutitional difference.  Many clients and chefs believe free range eggs produce better results from their kitchens. Chefs who care about food stay away from factory production systems.


Where can I buy genuine free range  eggs?
Because of our small scale production, freeranger eggs are only available in South West Gippsland. You can find genuine free range eggs in many health food shops, fruit and veggie outlets and even some supermarkets--but don't forget to look for the logo of the Free Range Farmers Association. Don't be fooled by fancy packaging with pretty pictures  of birds frolicking in grass. The farm may be 'accredited' to some industry program but that often means high stocking densities and allowing birds to be beak trimmed. There is no guarantee that the eggs you buy are really free range unless you see the logo of the Free Range Farmers Association Inc. or of Humane Choice.


Are free range hens likely to  spread bird flu?
The potential spread of Avian Influenza is unlikely to be reduced by locking up our chooks. The reality is that any threat to the Australian public is more likely to arrive with people traveling  from overseas than from migratory birds or from domestic hens. Access of wild birds to free range hens is seen as a risk by some in the industry but wild birds like sparrows and swallows have access to even the most modern poultry sheds. Many cage farms were built over 40 years ago and birds fly in anytime they feel like it!


Are there any standards for egg producers?
Yes, but standards vary. In Victoria producers must be registered with  their local Council and they are required to package eggs according to the Shell Egg Code of Victoria. There are strict labeling requirements in the ACT. Queensland  has a regulation in place which limts the stocking density of free range hens to 1500 per hectare.
If the farm has effective management practices, eggs will be clean when they are collected and there should be no need to wash eggs. The washing  process removes a natural 'bloom' from the surface of the egg which helps prevent the entry of bacteria. In our view, washed eggs should be classed as seconds and not offered for retail sale. The Australian Egg Corporation Ltd operates the Egg Corp Assured program which audits the quality of production on participating farms and provides guaranteed standards for consumers. Unfortunately it does enforce the provisions of the Model Code of Practice for the Welfare of Animals - Domestic Poultry, even though farms are supposed to meet the requirements of the Model Code to be accredited. None of these standards is met by backyard operators or illegal sellers at thousands of markets across  Australia. The Egg Corporation is currently trying to water down its standards to allow intensive farms to be classified as 'free range'. It plans to implement a stocking density of up to 20,000 hens per hectare and allow beak trimming as a matter of course.


How do I start a free range farm?
The best starting point is to visit a genuine free range farm and see what they do. If you like the idea, talk to your council about any particular requirements you will have to meet on your property. If you want to go ahead, you can get our 'So You Want To Keep Chooks' e-book and a publication about starting a free range farm from the Free Range Farmers Association. Then join FRFA and you will get all the advice you need to set up a successful free range business.


How do I maintain flock health?
You will keep your birds healthy if you feed a well balanced ration, formulated for laying hens, provide ample clean water, maintain good farm biosecurity, keep sheds and nest boxes clean and vermin-free and watch for any debilitating signs which may indicate the start of an infection or problems with parasites.
 
Why are some egg whites runny?
If an egg is broken onto a flat surface and the albumen (white) is watery and spreads-out,  most people believe this indicates that the egg is stale. They may be right - but they may also be wrong! The height of the albumen and the  weight of the egg are used to calculate a value in Haugh units on a scale of 0 to 110. Under this measuring system, the lower the value, the staler the egg is supposed to be.

A minimum Haugh unit measurement of 60 is desirable for whole eggs sold to  domestic consumers.  Eggs leaving the farm should average between 75 and 85 Haugh units and many farms conduct random testing to ensure quality.

Although watery whites are mainly an indication of the increasing age of the egg, the problem is made worse by high storage temperature and low humidity. Also, as birds age, the Haugh unit value of their eggs decreases by about 1.5 to 2 units per month of lay. Some birds consistently produce eggs with watery whites (Haugh units less than 30) later in lay, which is one reason that most commercial farms only keep their birds for one laying season. So in some circumstances, even a fresh egg laid that day can have a watery white.

What hens should get for my backyard?
This is an almost impossible question to answer because it depends what people want. Hibrid bids such as Isa Browns are excellent layers and are very docile - so are ideal in a family situation. Free Range farms such as ours, often have birds available for domestic backyards. But for people people who prefer traditional breeds, you can't go past Rhode Island Reds or New Hampshires. For those who want dual purpose meat and egg laying hens, breeds such as Australorps or Light Sussex are ideal.

There are so many different breeds available that it comes down to individual preferences. There are many specialist breeders out there as well as  websites and magazines which will provide ideas. You could start here.
The most important things are to have a secure area for your hens, good shelter, adequate nest boxes and provide good food and water. Also remember not to mix vaccinated and non-vaccinated birds as your non-vaccinated birds probably won't survive.