Vitamins A, E and fatty acid composition of the eggs of caged hens and pastured hensA Pennsylvania State University study compared the nutritional composition of eggs on cool-season grasses grass, alfalfa, and clover pastures to eggs produced commercially. The results show that the pastured eggs had higher levels of Vitamin A, Vitamin E, and Omega-3 fatty acids. According to the study, pastured eggs had the following increases in nutritional value when compared to commercially produced eggs:
Among the pasture group, the eggs of hens foraging grasses had 23% more vitamin E than the eggs from hens on clover. Important to note is that the researchers restricted the amount of feed to the pasture hens. The pasture hens received 38% less feed in the study. Caged hens received 113 grams per hen per day compared to 70 grams per hen per day for the pasture groups. As a result, the pastured hen egg production was down 15% and the pastured birds weighed 14% less. Intentionally limiting the amount of feed to a significant level below the breed’s genetic requirements is not a recommended pastured poultry feeding practice because it will adversely affect performance. A 2001 comparison of eggs produced in a real-world pasture system to conventionally produced eggs with similar nutritional findings to the Penn State study. Source: Vitamins A, E and fatty acid composition of the eggs of caged hens and pastured hens, Kartsten, H.D., et al. Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems: 25(1); 45-54. 12 January 2010. Receive Free PDF Issue of APPPA Grit NewsletterAPPPA publishes a weekly newsletter to bring tips, news, and thoughtful commentary about pastured poultry to your inbox. Subscribe and receive a free issue of our bi-monthly trade newsletter, APPPA Grit. We mail APPPA Grit to all paid members bi-monthly. | Upcoming eventsMembership At a Glance
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