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Chickens, Eggs, and Sustainability
Jun. 16th, 2010 10:29 amInteresting thing on eggs -- what they're coated (or not) with and how they're cleaned, affects quality (and safety) of the egg. We aren't organic (yet), but at least our chickens are cage free, get grass fed to them during the warmer months, and we don't use chemicals on them or the eggs.
Health-wise, local and organic would be #1, then local, then everyone else. Processes used to stabilize eggs for long distance travel can be unhealthy.
Why you don't want to buy organic eggs at the grocery store
And to find local egg producers in your area, try your local farmers market, and/or check out Local Harvest
***
Sharon Astyk also brings up the point that most chickens, as commonly raised, are not very sustainable, because the grain usually needs to be imported. We're working on growing some of the grain ourselves, but I doubt we can grow a year's worth.
Her discussion of chickens is part of a longer article on food sustainability, relating to Where the UN Gets It Right (and Wrong)
Chickens can include grass in their diet, and free range is good not only for that but because they can catch bugs to supplement their diet. I admit I'm not much good at catching bugs or worms, so the only time they get those is if something wanders into their rooms or if I find them while shucking corn. Since we don't spray any of our crops, some of the ears of corn do end up with a worm in them.
So..... well we can work on making chickens more sustainable than they currently are. We could also look into having ducks instead... but they'll still need housing during the winter... guess we'll need to do some research.
Health-wise, local and organic would be #1, then local, then everyone else. Processes used to stabilize eggs for long distance travel can be unhealthy.
Why you don't want to buy organic eggs at the grocery store
And to find local egg producers in your area, try your local farmers market, and/or check out Local Harvest
***
Sharon Astyk also brings up the point that most chickens, as commonly raised, are not very sustainable, because the grain usually needs to be imported. We're working on growing some of the grain ourselves, but I doubt we can grow a year's worth.
Her discussion of chickens is part of a longer article on food sustainability, relating to Where the UN Gets It Right (and Wrong)
Chickens can include grass in their diet, and free range is good not only for that but because they can catch bugs to supplement their diet. I admit I'm not much good at catching bugs or worms, so the only time they get those is if something wanders into their rooms or if I find them while shucking corn. Since we don't spray any of our crops, some of the ears of corn do end up with a worm in them.
So..... well we can work on making chickens more sustainable than they currently are. We could also look into having ducks instead... but they'll still need housing during the winter... guess we'll need to do some research.
