AT Turning Ranch our chickens are raised on fresh green ORGANIC (not certified) PASTURE.  Our chickens breathe clean air, drink clean water and eat an all natural diet of green grass, bugs, and a custom ORGANIC (not certified)  mix feed ration that includes corn, soy, Flax seed, sea kelp, fish meal, diatomaceous earth and organic supplements. We soak whole wheat grains in whey and water to start sprouting.  All Grains are Non-GMO. Organic Alfalfa, raw milk (and whey) from our home dairy, and organic food scraps add to their healthy diet. We will continue to improve our chicken's diet as time goes on.

Studies have shown that hens fed flax meal or fish meal rich in omega-3 fatty acids have equal amounts of omega-6 and omega-3, a very beneficial balance. Eggs from hens allowed to eat bugs and graze on green pasture would also have this favorable balance. (Sally Fallon in Nourishing Traditions page 605)

We spend the time and money to raise our chickens in this manner to produce eggs that are flavorful and nutritious. Our chickens live in small colonies and are never crowded in confinement houses. They run free in a fenced pasture and return to the "house" to lay eggs, are protected in bad weather and at night. They are guarded by our Pyrenees Dog, Tara.  For more on this see the blog at http://www.turningranch.com/Blog/tabid/62/EntryId/36/The-Swanky-Hen-House.aspx .

Question:  Why is deep orange eggs yolks desirable??

This is a question we are often asked. The color of the yolk reveals what the hen has been eating. The carotenoids in the hens' feed make the yolks yellow. They can be found  naturally in things like grass, vegetables and fruit. The greater the quantity of these substances in the hens' diet, the darker the color of the yolk. The hens eat yellow pigments in corn or grass, but if they have no access to green fodder (such as hens in cages or sheds) then the color is paler.

Our preference for orange egg yolks is simply better nutrition. Pale yolks are a sign of sick hens, worm infestation, or poor feed. Only healthy, well-nourished hens store carotenoids (preliminary forms of vitamin A) in their yolks. Bright orange yolks show that the hens are well supplied with essential carotenoids such as lutein or canthaxanthin. These protective substances are widely found in nature; they not only give the yolk its deep colour, but also prevent the oxidation and destruction of fragile, vital substances such as vitamins in the egg.

Not all carotenoids find their way into the yolk. The well-known beta-carotene, for example, is completely converted to vitamin A and used by the hen. Beta-carotene is believed to have no effect on yolk color.

Canthaxanthin, another carotenoid, is different: Birds only convert about 30 percent of it into vitamin A. The rest is stored in the egg yolk as a protective substance, causing the yolk to take on a golden-yellow hue.

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Question:  Why do my eggs not look like other eggs I bought at the store? Why are they not uniform in appearance?

Answer:  We allow our chickens free-range and to eat what they want. We provide the best organic ingredients we can but each chicken eats what they want. Some chickens like our feed and others forage more. We do not force feed our chickens and leave them free-choice. We will continue to strive for more  orange eggs. We also have multiple breeds of chickens. Most of out flock is young Production Reds but we also have older Buffs, Production Reds and Barred Rocks. That accounts for some of the X-Large double yolked eggs.

Question: Why are some of the eggs "dirty"? Do you not wash the eggs?

Answer: We do not wash our eggs. We wipe them off but are very careful not disturb the "bloom". These nifty little eggs come with their own coating that keeps bad microorganisms out of the egg. But do wash them before eating and be sure to keep raw egg away from anything you might put in your mouth.

 Question: Do I have to refrigerate my eggs? Can I leave them on the counter overnight?

 Answer:  Our eggs are refrigerated soon after we collect (we collect 2-4 times a day) per Texas Department of Agriculture and Texas Dept of Health regulations for farmers to sell their eggs to the public. Eggs are kept per law at 45 degrees or below (but above freezing). Contrary to official thought we have found our eggs do well on counter overnight.

Question: How long can I keep Turning Ranch eggs before eating them?

 Answer:  Our eggs are delivered fresh which means you receive them usually less than one week since laid by a chicken. Eggs can last six months if stored properly but they taste better and have more nutrition the fresher they are. Most store bought eggs are up to 6 months old and we do not agree with that, so we ship our eggs as soon as we can. Besides daily pickup on the farm, we ship to our customers two to three times a week to make sure they get the freshest eggs.