Hello. My name is Sara and I am addicted to eggs. It is true. I have not gone more than a day without an egg for as long as I can remember. For years now I have only been buying free range organic eggs. As I understood it, that was the best possible egg, for my feathered friends and for the nutrient balance of the egg. Eggs are full of vitamin D, vitamin A, vitamin E, omega 3 fatty acids, beta carotene, cholesterol (which is good for you), and saturated fat (also good for you).

Unfortunately, as good as 'organic' and 'free-range' sounds it is still not the best option. The problem is that some producers abuse this term and label their eggs as "free range" when in fact all they have done is open a door to allow their chickens to range in an outdoor area of bare dirt or concrete, with no pasture in sight. So, I am on a mission to find some happy chickens, and as luck would have it I think I have done just that.

Gillham Eggs can be found at several of the local farmers markets, here is what the label on the eggs says:

GILLHAM EGGS - $5.00
1 Dozen Brown Eggs from 14535 County Rd 42, Guinda, CA

These eggs were laid by healthy, respected Black Star and Production Red hens that live in the Gillham's Black Walnut Orchard. Our farm has partnered with the Gillhams for the production of these eggs.

These hens spend their evenings roosting in houses in the orchard where they are protected from nocturnal predators (Bobcats and Raccoons) and they are supplied with chicken food (not organic) to supplement their day's diet from the orchard.

Don Gillham opens the houses with the sun light and the hens exit their bedroom to spend their day scratching the orchard floor eating pasture, alfalfa hay and seasonal produce scraps from Capay Organic's vegetable farm.

Hens return to their home during the day to lay their daily egg, if they need to, but most of a hen's day is spend outside under the walnut trees. As the sun sets the hens return on their own will to their house. Don shows up at dark to shut the door to their bedroom for a safe night of roosting, resting and laying.

Support the hard work of these hens! - Thaddeus

Sounds good. Now, can I really tell a difference?

First, it must be said that the eggs from Trader Joe's are significantly cheaper. But at what cost to the health of the animals? Gillham's eggs come out to about $0.41 per egg. It just might be worth it.


As I broke open the eggs, the first difference was in the thickness of the shell. The pastured eggs are quite a bit thicker, then as the yolk came sliding out the real difference became apparent. The pastured egg was a richer deep orange color.

Finally, the taste. Gillham eggs win hands down. The yolk was full of flavor, and even the egg white was a more intense flavor. The Trader Joe's eggs were just kind of bland. So there you have it, happy chickens lay more delicious eggs.

This is one of my favorite recipes, and it is super easy.

Heat oven to 350 line a ramekin with prosciutto and crack an egg on top. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and bake in the oven for about 15 minutes. Ohhh delicious. It is also nice topped with pesto.