The magazine Mother Earth News had six eggs from each of 14 pastured flocks tested for nutrient composition by an accredited laboratory in Portland, Oregon. They compared the results to official egg nutrient data from the USDA for “conventional” (i.e. from confined hens) eggs.
They found that eggs from hens raised on pasture may contain:
• 1/3 less cholesterol
• 1/4 less saturated fat
• 2/3 more vitamin A
• 2 times more omega-3 fatty acids
• 3 times more vitamin E
• 7 times more beta carotene