Nest Fresh

FAQs

What does 100% cage free mean?
What does NestFresh feed their chickens?
What is the difference between a white egg and a brown egg?
What breeds of chickens do you use?
Do chickens need roosters to produce eggs?
How long does it take for a chicken to lay an egg?
Are NestFresh eggs fertile or non-fertile?
Why do some eggs have blood spots?
What's the white cord next to the yolk?
Are my eggs still edible if it's past the date on the carton?
Why do cage free eggs cost more than regular eggs?

Q: What does 100% cage free mean?
A: 100% cage free means that the chickens are never kept in cages. Cage free birds are kept in large barns where they can move about freely and lay their eggs in dark, quiet nests. They are free to participate in their natural chicken behaviors and pecking orders.

Q: What does NestFresh feed their chickens?
A: Our hens are fed a nutritious vegetarian diet that never contains antibiotics, hormones, steroids, or animal by-products. Our omega-3 hens receive flax seeds in their feed to enrich each egg with 225mg of omega-3. The hens that lay the Folate Fortified eggs eat feed formulated with kelp and yeast for added vitamin B benefits. The organic birds are given feed that is certified organic by a third-party certifier.

Q: What is the difference between a white egg and a brown egg?
A: The only difference between white and brown eggs is that white eggs are laid by white hens and brown eggs are laid by brown hens. There is no nutritional difference between the two because all of our chickens are fed the same high-protein, all vegetarian feed.

Q: What breeds of chickens do you use?
A: Most laying hens in the U.S. are single-comb White Leghorns which are bred for their egg-producing abilities, resistance to disease and other genetic qualities. For brown eggs, the Leghorns are crossed with a heavy red, brown or black chicken such as a Rhode Island Red to achieve the brown colored egg with the superior egg-laying ability.

Q: Do chickens need roosters to produce eggs?
A: No, hens do not need roosters to lay eggs. All a female chicken needs to produce an egg is enough light, food, water and a good environment.

Q: How long does it take for a chicken to lay an egg?
A: It takes a hen about 24 to 26 hours to produce and lay an egg. Fifteen to 30 minutes after she lays it, the process starts all over again.

Q: Are NestFresh eggs fertile or non-fertile?
A: All NestFresh eggs are non-fertile because there are no roosters in the flock.

Q: Why do some eggs have blood spots?
A: Blood spots occur naturally in the laying process and do not mean the egg is fertilized or inedible. They are more common in brown eggs because it is harder to see them during candling (an inspection process used to ensure the quality of our eggs).

Q: What's the white cord next to the yolk?
A: The white cord is the chalazae (ka-LAY-zee) and is a sign of freshness. It is twisted egg whites that form a "rope" to anchor to the top and bottom of the shell membrane and center the yolk.

Q: Are my eggs still edible if it's past the date on the carton?
A: Fresh, uncooked eggs in the shell are best kept in the refrigerator in their cartons. Under these conditions, the eggs will still be at peak quality for up to two to three weeks past the sell-by date.

Q: Why do cage free eggs cost more than regular eggs?
A: Cage free eggs cost more than regular eggs because cage free hens are more active than caged hens. They are allowed to move about the house and engage in their natural behaviors, which causes them to eat more feed than caged hens.