A Rafting Ride and Egg-cellent Questions

Recently, I found myself packed shoulder-to-shoulder on a hot, sweaty school bus with a group of fellow adventurers. We were heading upriver, about 45 minutes from our base, for a whitewater rafting trip. The bus was humming with excited voices, everyone gripping their paddles and gear, ready to face the mighty rapids.

My neighbor across the aisle introduced herself and asked what I do. I told her I work at an egg farm, connecting small family farms to grocery stores across the U.S., and that I’m the Sales Supervisor for the company.

Immediately, she began asking me questions:

• Why are egg prices so high?

• What does your company do with all the extra money you must be making?

• What’s the difference between caged eggs and pasture-raised eggs?

• Is it really worth paying more for pasture-raised eggs?

For the next 40 minutes, we dove into the egg-citing details of farming, packing, retail, and more. Since these are questions I hear often, I’d like to share my answers here as well.

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Why Are Egg Prices So High?

The simple answer: supply and demand. Fewer chickens are laying eggs than the number of eggs people want to buy. That shortage drives prices up.

The more complex answer: a highly contagious virus called High Path Avian Influenza (HPAI), spread by wild birds, has been making chickens sick. This has led to the culling of tens of millions of laying hens across the country, which drastically reduces supply and raises the cost of eggs.

What Did Your Company Do With the “Extra Money”?

At Westfield Egg Farm, we don’t price our brands (Utopihen Farms, Nature’s Yoke, and Rosie’s Farm Fresh) based on the national egg market. Instead, we use a cost-plus pricing model.

That means we charge based on what it costs us to produce an egg—no more, no less. When HPAI hit, our costs didn’t rise, so we kept our prices consistent. This stability allows families to budget confidently for affordable, free-range or pasture-raised eggs. While many companies raised prices dramatically, we chose not to price gouge.

Our commitment with our brands; Utopihen Farms, Nature’s Yoke, and Rosie’s Farm Fresh is to create fair pricing even through market ups and downs. Retailers and consumers can expect consistency, and we look for partner retailers and distributors who share that commitment.

What’s the difference between caged eggs and pasture-raised eggs?

Consumers often feel overwhelmed in the egg aisle with so many labels. Here’s a breakdown:

• Caged Eggs: Chickens spend their entire lives in small, cramped cages. They eat, sleep, and lay eggs in the same tight space with no room to spread their wings.

• Cage-Free Eggs: This term can be deceptive. While it suggests chickens aren’t caged, often they are still housed in very large cages or crowded environments that don’t allow natural behaviors.

• Free-Range Eggs: Chickens roam freely inside barns (about 2 sq. ft. per hen) and have limited outdoor access where they can forage, spread their wings, and enjoy sunshine and fresh air.

• Pasture-Raised Eggs: Chickens sleep and lay eggs in barns but spend most of their time outdoors. Each hen gets 108–110 sq. ft. of outdoor space—plenty of room to roam, forage for bugs and insects, and live more naturally.

When comparing cage-free vs. pasture-raised eggs, the difference in living conditions, nutrition, and sustainability is dramatic.

Is It Really Worth Paying More for Pasture-Raised?

That is ultimately your decision—but here are some things to consider:

According to Certified Humane, a 2003 study from Pennsylvania State University found that pasture-raised eggs contain:

• 2× more omega-3 fat

• 3× more vitamin D

• 4× more vitamin E

• 7× more beta-carotene

Beyond nutrition, humane egg farming reflects better farming ethics and sustainability. At Utopihen Farms, for example:

• Each hen has 110 sq. ft. of land to roam.

• Flock sizes are capped at 4,000 hens per farm, preserving natural resources. (Most pasture-raised farms manage 20,000–50,000 hens.)

• All farms are Certified Humane, ensuring animal welfare and traceability.

Wrapping Up

As our bus pulled up to the river, the conversation ended and the adventure began. Just like navigating whitewater rapids, the egg aisle can feel overwhelming. But with the right knowledge, you can make confident choices that align with your values, health, and budget.

When you choose Utopihen Farms, Nature’s Yoke, or Rosie’s Farm Fresh, you’re not just buying eggs—you’re supporting small family farms, fair pricing, and humane farming practices.