Frequently Asked Questions About Eggs

1. Which came first?
   • On our farm, the chickens. We had to wait many months for the eggs to show up.
2. What’s the best amount to purchase?
   • Depends on how much you like eggs and baking. Since they last a while, 2 dozen seems most common.
3. How do I get your eggs?
   • From our Farm in Hartsville, (asperfamilyfarm.com/order) Mighty Oak Market downtown Hartsville and Hartsville Farmers Market (2nd Saturday of the month)
4. How many eggs per day do I need to eat?
   • The standard recommendation is 1-2 eggs a day, so that would be 1 to 2 dozen eggs per week per person. Also, add more if you like to bake.
5. Why do I want Non-GMO eggs?
   • Our animals are fed feed that has been verified to have not been genetically modified. Popular ingredients in animal feed, Corn, Soy and Oats have been altered in labs in order to make them more resistant to pests or weeds. So, for example, if you spray Round-Up weed killer on the field, the plant has been modified to not die. Corn has been altered to automatically kill the annoying worm you find eating your fresh corn.
   • We choose to keep our feed just with the original seed that has been passed down over time instead of with the lab altered one since it is more natural. From research we have read, we believe that GM crops can lead to cancers and other health problems.
6. Why do I want Soy-Free eggs?
   • We switched to soy free per the request of customers who are on strict diet protocols for health reasons. Your diet may benefit from a reduction in soy, as well.
   • Soy is a phytoestrogen, so it acts like the hormone estrogen. While we do not mind purposely using Non-GMO soy sauce here and there, we do try to avoid the heavy pile up of soy in all food and animal feed today.
   • Soy is a powerhouse of protein, so it is used abundantly in chicken and pig feed. Egg and meat labels do not have to mention this. Since protein is a building block for the body, we believe that the meat and eggs from animals will also have a constitution rich in soy and its phytoestrogens. We do not want this for our diet, and there are alternatives to soy.
7. How long can I keep farm fresh eggs on the counter?
   • We typically don’t need to wash the eggs from the farm, so those you can keep out a week and then refrigerate. You could do longer, but one week is my preference. Eggs bought at market were washed and must be refrigerated.
8. Do I need to wash the eggs?
   • We have a roll-out nesting box so the chickens don’t touch the eggs much which keeps them cleaner, so you can keep them out. Eggs have a natural bloom that protects them from bacteria, but once they are washed, you need to refrigerate immediately at 45degreesF or below.
9. Do I need to refrigerate the eggs?
   • If they have been washed, they must be refrigerated because they do not have the protective bloom anymore and can absorb bacteria.
10. How long do refrigerated eggs last?
    • They can keep a long time, but I generally recommend 3 to 4 weeks. If you are unsure, you can put your eggs in a pot of water with at least 1 in. water over. If they float to the top, they are bad and you need to discard.
11. How long can you keep eggs on the counter after they have been refrigerated?
    • 2 hours or less
12. Can I reuse cartons?
    • Yes, at the farm we accept cartons as long as they are clean and not made of Styrofoam. Most people prefer recycling and re-using clean cartons. You can request a new carton from us, too. At stores and Farmers Markets, we must use a new, unused carton each time. You can also buy a basket for your eggs and we can load your eggs in it if you want to avoid cartons altogether.
13. Do you deliver?
    • With our big family, we prefer people to come to the farm, but delivery is not impossible, especially if you are on our route to town. Just inquire and we’ll see what we can work out, especially if it saves time and gas.