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1. ramino
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   We are looking for a reliable local source of organic, free-range eggs. The yokes should be orange color indicating true, healty, natural free-range conditions. We readily find such eggs in Europe, but not frequently in the U.S. Your advice would be very much appreciated.

   Posted 10 months ago #         

2. chrisma
   Member Profile

   

   Have you considered getting your own chickens? The ultimate in quality control.

   Posted 10 months ago #         

3. cjboffoli
   Member Profile

   

   ramino: The feed that European laying hens get can be surprisingly different than what American hens are raised on. For instance, American farmers provide less calcium to save money but the French would never let them get away with that over there. As a result, eggs in France actually have much thicker shells.

   I've sampled a lot of local, sustainable eggs of really high quality. But I can't say that I've found many locally with the REALLY orange yolks you're seeking. In general, you'll want to find chicken farmers who allow their free-range hens to supplement their feed diets with a rich selection of bugs and worms. Those are the eggs that tend to be the most nutritious. You might try to see if you can find some of Michaele Blakely's eggs from Carnation, WA. Available at U-District, Ballard and Bellevue farmers' markets.

   Closer to home, you might check with the jelly/jam seller at the West Seattle farmers' market. I can't remember his name. But I know that his young daughter occasionally sells eggs from their family farm (in Monroe, WA) that, if I recall correctly, had very orange yolks:

   http://westseattleblog.com/2009/03/west-seattle-farmers-market-update-no-daffodils-but

   Posted 10 months ago #         

4. JanS
   Member Profile

   

   I have a friend in Fed. Way who has his own chickens...just brought me some fresh...thicker shells, deep orange yolks...shells range from a nice robin's egg blue to pink to beige.Different sizes. delish ! His chickens eat bugs, and worms and garbage (compostable, like lettuce, etc, etc...),,seems to do the trick - lol...

   Posted 10 months ago #         

5. cjboffoli
   Member Profile

   

   The beautiful pastel shell colors don't really do anything for the flavor of the eggs. But aren't they fun, Jan?

   Posted 10 months ago #         

6. JanS
   Member Profile

   

   I know...explain that to the people who think brown eggs are better :)

   Posted 10 months ago #         

7. JoB
   Member Profile

   there is a deli in Edison, Wa that sells farm fresh pastel colored eggs from a local source.

   opening that egg carton always makes me smile.

   but i could tell you that i was eating those eggs without seeing their pretty pastel colors...
   or their brightly colored yolks for that matter.

   Posted 10 months ago #         

8. stina
   Member Profile

   The jam seller at the WS Farmers Market that cjboffoli refers to is Woodring. They usually have chicken eggs and occasionally have duck eggs.

   I would highly recommend either acquiring chickens or making arrangements with a neighbor who has chickens for the most reliable source of eggs. We have 6 right now and they keep us well supplied with eggs. Our yolks have a great orange color from all the bugs and greens they get. Seattle Tilth regularly has classes on keeping chickens in the city to help you get started: http://seattletilth.org/learn/classes-and-workshops/urbanlivestockclasses

   Posted 10 months ago #         

9. DP
   Member Profile

   

   Back yard chickens are hella fun, but the eggs cost hella more $$ too, and even then, you won't have absolute control over the source of the chicken feed, unless you want to buy a farm while you're at it.

   Farmers markets and/or co-ops are the way to go, unless you're some kind of yolk fanatic.

   

   Well, how about it, punk?

   Posted 10 months ago #         

10. cjboffoli
    Member Profile

    

    stina: Thanks for conjuring the Woodring name. I think I had a mental block based on the fact that I had to enter a 12-step program a while back for addiction to their Tayberry jam.

    Posted 10 months ago #         

11. Rod Clark
    Member Profile

    

    Woodring chicken:

    And That's How It Got There

    Four pages of random adventures at the whim of the universe.

    Posted 10 months ago #         

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