The Health Benefits of Pasture-Raised Eggs

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March 24, 2025

Eggs are a staple in many households, but not all eggs are created equal. At Little Captain Creek Farm, we raise our chickens on lush, green pastures, allowing them to roam freely, scratch in the dirt, and forage for natural food sources. These pasture-raised eggs are packed with nutritional benefits that make them a healthier choice for you and your family.

What Makes Pasture-Raised Eggs Different?

Unlike conventionally raised eggs, which often come from chickens confined to small cages and fed a processed diet, pasture-raised eggs come from chickens that have access to open pasture. They are free to roam, explore, and eat a more diverse diet, including grasses, insects, and seeds. This natural diet, combined with ample space to roam, results in eggs that are superior in both taste and nutrition.

Nutritional Benefits of Pasture-Raised Eggs

Higher in Omega-3s: Pasture-raised eggs have significantly higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids compared to conventional eggs. Omega-3s are essential fats that play a crucial role in brain function, heart health, and inflammation reduction.
More Vitamin D: Chickens that are allowed to roam outdoors in the sunshine produce eggs with higher amounts of vitamin D. Vitamin D is vital for bone health, immune function, and mood regulation.
Richer in Antioxidants: Pasture-raised eggs are packed with antioxidants like lutein and zeaxanthin, which help protect your eyes from oxidative damage and reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration.
Better Protein Profile: Pasture-raised eggs tend to have a higher-quality protein profile, with more amino acids per egg. Protein is essential for muscle repair, immune function, and overall growth.
Lower in Cholesterol: Studies have shown that pasture-raised eggs typically have lower cholesterol levels than factory-farmed eggs. This makes them a better option for those concerned about cholesterol intake.

The Ethical and Environmental Impact of Pasture-Raised Eggs

Pasture-raised eggs are not just a healthier choice for your body; they are also better for the environment and the chickens themselves. Our chickens at Little Captain Creek Farm are free to roam in a stress-free environment where they are treated with care and respect. They have access to clean, fresh water, ample space, and natural food sources—creating happier, healthier birds.

Additionally, pasture-raised eggs help reduce the environmental impact of egg production. By allowing chickens to forage naturally, they help improve soil health, reduce waste, and decrease the need for supplemental feed. This sustainable practice leads to a healthier planet.

Why Choose Pasture-Raised Eggs from Little Captain Creek Farm?

When you choose pasture-raised eggs from Little Captain Creek Farm, you’re not only supporting ethical and sustainable farming practices—you’re also investing in your health and the well-being of the planet. Our eggs are fresh, flavorful, and packed with nutrition, giving you the peace of mind that you're making a responsible choice for your family.

Baby Boom on the Farm

If you’ve ever stopped to chat with me out by the cow pasture, you know how much I love talking about Jerseys. I’d tell you right away that I am not just raising cows for milk — I’m raising them with the land in mind. My goal is to have a herd that fits our farm, not the other way around. That’s why I breed for shorter legs and smaller, more compact animals. A lighter cow is gentler on the ground, and over time that means stronger, healthier pastures. Healthier pastures, in turn, mean we can keep more cows on the same land without overworking the soil and still keep everything in balance the way it should be. Every time a calf is born here, I get this little spark in my eye because I know it’s one more step toward the Jersey herd I’ve been dreaming of for years. It’s not just about efficiency or milk yield, but about leaving the land better than I found it, so the next generation can keep farming it too. Most Frequently Asked Question…What Happens to Male Dairy Calves???Something that often surprises people about the dairy world is what happens to the male calves. Since they can’t produce milk, many farms see them as by-products. The outcome is usually heartbreaking: some are sold into the veal industry at just a few days old, while others are euthanized shortly after birth. It’s one of the hardest truths about modern dairying, and it’s a reality most people never hear about. At Little Captain Creek Farm, we believe every calf’s life matters. Our male calves are never discarded. Instead, we partner with another local farm that raises them for beef, giving them the chance to grow, and have a good life. This way, their lives are honored, and they are treated with respect from beginning to end. Looking ahead, our long-term dream is to keep that process right here at home by raising our male dairy calves ourselves for beef, so their entire story unfolds on the same land where they were born. It’s a vision rooted in dignity, stewardship, and doing right by the animals entrusted to our care. Future Plans – Breeding for Better Beef CalvesOne of the challenges we face right now is with our Jersey boys. As much as we love them, pure Jersey male calves just aren’t ideal for beef. They take a long time to grow and mature, and on a small family farm like ours, that makes things pretty tricky to manage. Looking ahead, my plan is that we’ll be bringing in a new bull to cross with our Jersey dairy cows. This crossbreeding will give us sturdier male calves that are better suited for beef, while still keeping all the gentle Jersey traits we value so much. The hope is that in time, we’ll be able to keep those boys right here on the farm, raising them ourselves and adding them into our beef herd. It’s another step toward a more sustainable, full-circle approach, where every calf born here has a meaningful place in the bigger picture. A Little Farm FunWith so many calves arriving this season, the farm is buzzing with energy! There’s nothing quite like watching those little legs wobbly at first, then bounding around the pasture like they own the place. We may even have some to spare — seriously, if you’ve ever wanted a calf as a pet, reach out, we’ll have a few for sale! We might have a lucky one with your name on it. From all of us here at Little Captain Creek Farm, thank you for following along with our adventures. Your support means the world, and we can’t wait to share more stories, updates, and a peek into life here on the farm with you. Stay Connected with the FarmKeep an eye out — we’ll be sharing plenty of photos and updates as the calves grow! If you want to see more behind-the-scenes moments, follow us on social media or just reply to this newsletter with your questions. We love hearing from you. And a gentle reminder: every purchase, farm visit, or share helps support our family farm and makes this sustainable way of farming possible. Your support truly keeps the cycle going, and we’re so grateful to have you along for the ride.

From Our Farm to Your Lunchbox

This time of year always sneaks up on us, doesn’t it? One minute the kids are chasing fireflies, and the next we’re packing backpacks and sharpening pencils. With school back in session, the question on every parent’s mind seems to be the same: “What do I pack for lunch?” Here at Little Captain Creek Farm, we know how important it is to send kids off with food that’s both nourishing and fun. After all, a good lunch can make all the difference in a school day. One of our favorite ways to do that is with bento box lunches. What’s a Bento Box? A bento box is a lunchbox with little compartments that keep foods separate, making meals fun and colorful for kids. Instead of one big sandwich, you can pack small portions of protein, veggies, fruit, raw dairy, and even a little treat. Bento boxes make it easy to balance nutrition and variety and when you add in farm-fresh ingredients like creamy cheese, rich yogurt, and hearty eggs from Little Captain Creek Farm, each lunch becomes a wholesome, special meal. To give you a hand on those busy mornings, we’ve put together a week’s worth of farm-fresh bento box ideas. Each one highlights simple, kid-friendly favorites — with a little help from our pasture. Monday Garden Wrap Bento Mini whole grain wrap with sliced raw cheddar cheese, spinach, carrots, and bell peppersApple slices with peanut butter dipCup of raw yogurt with honey drizzle Tuesday Chicken & Cheese Snack Box Sliced cooked chicken breastCubes of raw cheddar cheeseCherry tomatoes and cucumber coinsMini crackersA few spoonfuls of sheep yogurt with berries and honey drizzle Wednesday Egg Muffin Bento Mini frittatas made with pasture raised eggs and raw cheddar cheeseGrapes or apple slicesCarrot sticks with hummusThermos of cold raw chocolate cow milk Thursday Turkey Roll-Up Bento Sliced turkey rolled with Raw Garlic & Herb Gouda CheeseSnap peas and sweet pepper stripsPretzel sticksSmall jar of strawberry yogurt drink Friday Egg & Veggie Garden Bento Mini farm egg salad sandwiches made with our pasture-raised eggs on sourdough bread, cut into fun shapesCherry tomatoes, cucumber coins, and snap peasCubes of raw sheep cheddar cheeseFresh fruit: orange slices or apple wedgesSmall cup of raw blackberry yogurt for a sweet treat We hope these bento box ideas make back-to-school mornings a little easier and a lot more fun! You can find all the highlighted ingredients you need right here at Little Captain Creek Farm. From creamy cheeses and rich yogurts to farm-fresh eggs and hearty proteins, we’ve got everything to make lunchboxes colorful, healthy, and delicious. Keep an eye on our social media for more farm-fresh lunch inspiration, or reply to this newsletter with questions or photos. We love seeing your creations! Every purchase, visit, or share helps support our family farm and keeps our wholesome, sustainable approach thriving.

Seeing Our Farm with New Eyes

I saw the farm through her eyes — eyes that had never watched a cow chew cud or stood in a field with the wind rustling the grass. She reminded me that this life, this “ordinary” life, is anything but.

The Health Benefits of Pasture-Raised Eggs

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