Health benefits of pastured produce
Ayton Farm eggs are Organic Pastured Eggs, as distinct from "Free Range": (Health benefits of Pastured are explained further down)
Free Range v Pastured: what is the difference:
A national Australian standard for free range eggs was introduced in March 2016. The national definition of free range states that hens must have "meaningful and regular" access to the outdoors and that the density of chickens outdoors must be no more than one hen per square metre, that is, 10,000 hens per hectare.
The benefit of the new standard is that we now have clarity and openness around the "free range" label on egg cartons.
There are obvious negative aspects to the legislation. One is that if the feed and water are inside a temperature controlled shed, and the pasture and insects outside have been destroyed by the high density, there is little incentive for the hens to go outside and scratch around. If they do venture outside the fixed shed, there is unlikely to be any fresh pasture for them to enjoy and possibly no shade either.
Our stocking density for this week is 525 hens per hectare, for the area they roam in, bordered by protective temporary fencing. As the area they can roam in is regularly moved, that measure is not consistent with the method of measuring of the large producers that have 10000 hens in every hectare all year. To be directly comparable we should calculate density over the full 30ha they move over in a full year, which would give less than 20 hens per hectare. But having pointed out this inconsistency, we want to be consistent with the method of calculation of the other small free range and pastured egg producers, and be conservative in what we represent to the public, so we will state the density as 525 hens per hectare. Hence when the consumer purchases our pastured eggs, they can rely on the hens being allowed to roam freely on fresh pasture where they can consume a variety of plants and insects. Their diet is supplemented by an organic laying mash free from chemical and modified grains.
Free Range v Pastured: what is the difference:
A national Australian standard for free range eggs was introduced in March 2016. The national definition of free range states that hens must have "meaningful and regular" access to the outdoors and that the density of chickens outdoors must be no more than one hen per square metre, that is, 10,000 hens per hectare.
The benefit of the new standard is that we now have clarity and openness around the "free range" label on egg cartons.
There are obvious negative aspects to the legislation. One is that if the feed and water are inside a temperature controlled shed, and the pasture and insects outside have been destroyed by the high density, there is little incentive for the hens to go outside and scratch around. If they do venture outside the fixed shed, there is unlikely to be any fresh pasture for them to enjoy and possibly no shade either.
Our stocking density for this week is 525 hens per hectare, for the area they roam in, bordered by protective temporary fencing. As the area they can roam in is regularly moved, that measure is not consistent with the method of measuring of the large producers that have 10000 hens in every hectare all year. To be directly comparable we should calculate density over the full 30ha they move over in a full year, which would give less than 20 hens per hectare. But having pointed out this inconsistency, we want to be consistent with the method of calculation of the other small free range and pastured egg producers, and be conservative in what we represent to the public, so we will state the density as 525 hens per hectare. Hence when the consumer purchases our pastured eggs, they can rely on the hens being allowed to roam freely on fresh pasture where they can consume a variety of plants and insects. Their diet is supplemented by an organic laying mash free from chemical and modified grains.
Health Benefits:
Vitamin D (source: www.eatwild.com): Eggs from hens raised outdoors on pasture have from 3 - 6 times more vitamin D than eggs from hens in confinement. Pastured hens are exposed to direct sunlight, which their bodies then convert to vitamin D. This in turn is absorbed into the eggs.
Vitamin D is best known for its role in building strong bones. New research now shows that it can also enhance the immune system, improve mood, reduce blood pressure, combat cancer and reduce the risk of some autoimmune disorders.
This benefit only comes from hens that are free to graze fresh greens, eat bugs, and bask in the sun.
Eggs from, pastured layers are higher in Omega 3 fatty acids and Vitamin E. Both Omega 3 fatty acids and Vitamin E have been linked with lower rates of cancer and cardiovascular disease in humans (Lopez-Bote et al.
Pastured eggs also contain an abundance of two carotenes --- lutein and zeaxanthin. These antioxidant vitamins are essential for the protection of the macula, an area of the retina that provides our best central vision. Eggs are the richest known source. "Macular degeneration," the term for damage to this area of the retina, is the leading cause of blindness in people over 55 years of age. Lutein and zeaxanthin protect the macula from the destructive effects of light. The deeper the yellow-orange color of yolks, the more lutein and zeaxanthin they contain and the more eye-protection they offer.There is also new evidence linking lutein and zeaxanthin with a lower risk of colon cancer. According to a recent study, "Of all the carotenoids investigated, only lutein and zeaxanthin showed a protective effect against colon cancer, with an enhanced effect in younger people."
(Slattery, M. L., Benson, J., Curtin, K., Ma, K. N., Schaeffer, D., and Potter, J. D. (2000). Am J Clin Nutr 71, 575-82.)
(source: www.eatwild.com)
Vitamin D (source: www.eatwild.com): Eggs from hens raised outdoors on pasture have from 3 - 6 times more vitamin D than eggs from hens in confinement. Pastured hens are exposed to direct sunlight, which their bodies then convert to vitamin D. This in turn is absorbed into the eggs.
Vitamin D is best known for its role in building strong bones. New research now shows that it can also enhance the immune system, improve mood, reduce blood pressure, combat cancer and reduce the risk of some autoimmune disorders.
This benefit only comes from hens that are free to graze fresh greens, eat bugs, and bask in the sun.
Eggs from, pastured layers are higher in Omega 3 fatty acids and Vitamin E. Both Omega 3 fatty acids and Vitamin E have been linked with lower rates of cancer and cardiovascular disease in humans (Lopez-Bote et al.
Pastured eggs also contain an abundance of two carotenes --- lutein and zeaxanthin. These antioxidant vitamins are essential for the protection of the macula, an area of the retina that provides our best central vision. Eggs are the richest known source. "Macular degeneration," the term for damage to this area of the retina, is the leading cause of blindness in people over 55 years of age. Lutein and zeaxanthin protect the macula from the destructive effects of light. The deeper the yellow-orange color of yolks, the more lutein and zeaxanthin they contain and the more eye-protection they offer.There is also new evidence linking lutein and zeaxanthin with a lower risk of colon cancer. According to a recent study, "Of all the carotenoids investigated, only lutein and zeaxanthin showed a protective effect against colon cancer, with an enhanced effect in younger people."
(Slattery, M. L., Benson, J., Curtin, K., Ma, K. N., Schaeffer, D., and Potter, J. D. (2000). Am J Clin Nutr 71, 575-82.)
(source: www.eatwild.com)
Thanks to Mother Earth News for this chart - www.motherearthnews.com
Thanks to Mercola.com for this very informative Infographic. Ayton Farm eggs are "Organic pastured eggs" as shown on page 2 of the Infographic. We note the information is from America and some of the detail such as "How are eggs graded" is not the same as Australia, but there is a lot of very useful information shown.