How to buy good eggs
Free range or better + low hens per hectare = good egg
Egg buying is an egghausting art, which, once you understand the complexities, can be quite simple.
Australia will be phasing out caged eggs over the next 10 years, but you can get in the eggs-press lane of buying ethical eggs now.
What are you looking for in good eggs?
There are two key things that you might want from your eggies.
Them to be tasty: yes, you want yummy eggs. Typically the happier a chicken, the better the egg. This is why your mum’s friend’s eggs are yummier than the ones you buy for $4 at the shops.
You don’t want to be wondering what kind of chickens laid these eggs: you want to feel good about them being happy chickens, and not be distracted by the mortality of a hen whose period you’re eating.
Cage eggs (not good)
These are eggs from chickens who spend their whole lives inside, in cages. Do not buy! Not only are these chickens living their worst lives, but the eggs have the worst taste. So don’t just do it for the chickens, do it for your taste buds.
Cage-free eggs (not good)
This is basically the same as above, except there are no cages. Do not buy these! However they’re still in a barn with super high densities. It is my opinion that cage free is just a marketing term made up to help us feel better about buying cheap eggs.
Free range eggs (good)
In Australia, there are two sets of standards for Free Range:
The worse one, the government standard, allowing for up to 10,000 hens per hectare (that’s 1 hen per metre) (but still no outside time).
The better one, CSIRO’s model code of practice which says there should be up to 1,500 hens per hectare on an open range (this means outside time, and a lot more room per hen).
So when you’re looking at free range, it’s best to use the standard from CSIRO of 1,500 hens per hectare. They are the only ones suggesting there should be outside time.
PS: keep an eye out for the phrase “when outside” as well, because that almost definitely means the farm is really pushing the “free range” phrase.
Organic eggs (usually best)
All organic eggs are free-range. The key addition is they are fed organic grain. However, generally when there is thought given to food that hens are eating, you find there are fewer hens per hectare.
What’s up with the hectares?
Once you have stopped looking at the cage and cage-free eggs, your attention should turn to the stocking density listed on the cartons.
The rule here is the lower the hen per hectare, the better. Here’s some very handy conversions to help you visualise it:
350 hens per hectare or less = 1 hen per 28 metres (that’s about one tennis court)
750 hens per hectare = 1 hen per 13 metres (about 3ish table tennis tables)
1,500 hens per hectare = 1 hen per 6 metres (the size of a small walk-in wardrobe)
Look for free range or better + the lowest hectares you’re comfortable with
Personally, I like my chickens to have a tennis court worth of personal space. It gives them more room for activities, and they can lay their eggs in peace.
Right now, I’m buying Honest Eggs, but Choice has done a great article outlining brands and how free range they are.