Proper farm management ensures clean eggs

 We are still getting questions from customers about washing eggs and if eggs should be stored in a refrigerator The answer to both is NO!

American egg farms wash their eggs before sending them to market, in the mistaken belief that it will minimise the spread of any salmonella bacteria on the outside of the egg. They ignore the fact that washing removes a cuticle from the surface of the egg- a natural barrier which helps keep the inside of the egg free from bacteria. After washing, eggs should be oiled and must be refrigerated so that any bacteria the eggs come in contact with post-washing doesn't have a chance to invade the egg. In Australia and many other countries, eggs are not washed as a matter of course which means that
the cuticles will keep the egg’s interiors safe from any bacterial invasion for at least a couple of weeks at room temperature. Washing eggs generates more potential health problems. If eggs are so dirty that they need to be washed before sale, there is a flock management problem which the producer needs to rectify. Nest boxes and laying sheds must be kept clean with hens on fresh pasture (rather than on mud or manure).At Freeranger Eggs. Our management ensures that nestboxes are cleaned regularly with fresh woodshavings in each nest. Eggs are collected and packaged every day.

Yolk colour additives

 Yolk colour is often seen by consumers as an indication of egg quality, but very few people  realise that yolk colour simply reflects the type of feed provided for the hens. Natural carotenes in green pasture and corn provide an excellent feed source. But large scale egg farms manipulate yolk colour by adding special manufactured pigment pre mixes to their poultry feed.

This enables brighter, more consistent yolk colour at lower inclusion rates, reducing overall pigmentation costs. Yellow egg colour technology is a significant part of the feed manufacturing process as producers try to enhance yolk colour in line with consumer expectations.

Cross-flow ventilation essential in poultry sheds

 Temperature control and good ventilation are essential for bird health on any egg farm. Ideal freerange housing provides ample shelter and good cross-flow ventilation in sheds with small flocks. Major production facilities with many thousands of birds in sheds require massive fans and cooling systems to prevent contamination and an extreme heat build-up causing mortalities in the sheds.Ammonia, temperature and humidity are fundamental air quality concerns in poultry housing.The main feature of course is for the hens to enjoy unrestricted access to the vegetated range.

Eating eggs lower risk of Alzheimers disease

 

A recent university study in Canada found that eating one or more eggs per week correlated with a 47% reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

The study found that participants who ate an egg or more every week were less likely to be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. These results are similar to those of a study in Finland that reported that individuals with a high egg consumption had better cognitive function than those with low egg intake.

 Researchers credit choline—a vital nutrient in whole eggs—as a key factor. Along with omega-3 fatty acids and lutein, also in eggs, choline has been shown to promote brain health and,  is linked to a reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease.  

Chickens in backyards

 Chickens are gregarious creatures who like to live in small groups.Keeping chickens in a backyard sounds simple enough, but they need things to keep them occupied as well as food and water. Young hens can fly, so if they don’t like where they are, they are likely to fly out of the yard or pen. Fences need to be at least six feet high to contain them and keep out intruders.

The meaning of Free Range

 Welcome to Freeranger Eggs - the home of freerange eggs in Stanley Road, Grantville Victoria. This blog demonstrates how our 200 acre farm is run and  our eBook shows how to set up your own free range farm business. The huge number of shameless people around pretending that the eggs they sell are 'free range' makes it almost impossible for Australian consumers to make informed decisions. Ministers for Consumer Affairs and the Federal Minister for Small business  made the decision even more complex as their absurd 10,000 hens per hectare standard for 'free range' eggs simply ensures that NO eggs sold in major supermarkets are actually free range. Australia's mindless labelling laws, are an added problem for consumers and farmers. So if you want free range eggs, don't go to a supermarket.  Ignore logos and accreditation claims - they are usually meaningless as accreditation processes have become a joke.  Most eggs labelled as free range are from intensive production systems wth high stocking densities and  beak-trimmed birds- even the biggest corporate producers resort to buying eggs from other sources to ensure sufficient numbers to meet their contracts with supermarkets.  Freeranger Eggs is one of very few genuine free range farms in the country. We have  an outdoor stocking density of 15 - 40 hens per hectare and we only package eggs laid on our farm. The number of hens on our 200 acre ( 80 hectare) property varies but we run a maximum of 1000, depending on the time of year and demand. The farm is registered with Agriculture Victoria. The State Government changed the rules and Councils no longer conduct farm inspections. As a low density free range farm, we are part of a boutique industry with a niche market. We operate with  a comprehensive food safety and quality assurance program and We exceed  the standards of every accreditation body in Australia. Talk to us if you would like to set up your own free range egg business.

Beat the egg shortages

 

Free range farms need to be set up close to townships so customers don’t need to travel far to buy fresh produce.Anyone who has ever thought about setting up their own free range farm need wait no longer. Our eBook on establishing a free range egg farm is available at any time. At a cost of just $245. It is a low-cost way of providing all the ideas and tools needed to establish your egg business and will help you prepare your own application to your local Shire to set up a free range farm. There's no need to engage a costly consultant to write the application for you. Free range egg production is a niche market which is why genuine free range eggs are never found in supermarkets Once payment is made, the eBook will be emailed as a Portable Document File (PDF). send payment to our  Bendigo Bank account.P &A Westwood BSB 633 000 Account 153356233