Which Egg Came from a Healthy Chicken?

Here’s a quick cheat sheet:

• Pasture-Raised 🟢: Chickens roam freely outdoors, eat a varied natural diet — best choice.
• Free-Range 🟡: Chickens have access to the outdoors, but conditions vary.
• Cage-Free 🟠: Chickens aren’t in cages but may still be crowded in barns.
• Conventional 🔴: Likely raised indoors with limited movement and a grain-based diet.

If you have access to farmer’s markets or local farms, ask how the chickens are raised. Many small farms don’t have the budget for certifications but raise their hens in healthy, ethical conditions.

💡 Final Thoughts: The Egg Doesn’t Lie

You don’t need to be an expert farmer to know if an egg came from a healthy chicken. Just crack one open and look at the yolk color, the firmness of the white, and the strength of the shell.

Healthier chickens lay better eggs — it’s that simple.

And while we can’t all raise backyard hens, we can make informed choices that support animal welfare, better nutrition, and truly tasty breakfasts.

So next time you’re cooking up scrambled eggs or baking a cake, take a moment to notice the egg in front of you.

It might tell you more than you think.

Would you like a visual comparison chart for healthy vs. low-quality eggs, or a printable version of this guide? I can create one for you!