There is some controversy out there about this topic. Some say backyard chicken eggs have less cholesterol because chickens eat healthier diets. 

Others say the eggs are no different than store-bought ones. What do you think? Do free-range chickens produce healthier eggs?

Store-bought eggs come from chickens typically fed a corn and soybeans diet. This diet is higher in cholesterol than the free-range diet.

Do you want to know more about this topic? Just keep reading.

What Are Backyard Chickens? Are They Healthier?

Backyard Chickens are chickens that people in their backyard raise. These chickens are not commercially grown like the ones you would find in a grocery store. Instead, they can live freely in a more natural environment where they can access the outdoors.

In this way, the chickens will eat everything they find to eat on the earth. For example, they can eat a diet of bugs, grass, and other plants. This diet is organic and healthier for the chickens and results in eggs with less cholesterol. 

Other benefits of raising backyard chickens include:

• Get exercise and fresh air
• Being less stressed
• Producing eggs that are richer in nutrients

Do Backyard Chickens Need Free-Range?

The simple answer is no, and backyard chickens do not need free-range. Free-range is a term used to describe the way that chickens grow naturally. Free-range chickens have access to the outdoors, where they can roam freely and eat a diet of bugs, grass, and other plants.

There is no difference between the eggs free-range chickens produce and those produced by backyard chickens.

The backyard and free-range chickens can have the same diet, so both have the same nutritional value.

What Is The Difference Between Free-Range And Cage-Free?

Cage-free means the chickens are not confined to a small cage. However, they may still be limited to a large barn without access to the outdoors.

Free-range means the chickens have access to the outdoors, where they can roam freely and eat more naturally from the field.

The difference between these terms is that free-range chickens have a more natural diet and can exercise more. Because of that, they will give eggs with less cholesterol.

Are Backyard Chicken Eggs Healthier Than
Store-Bought?

Some people believe backyard chicken eggs are healthier because the chickens eat a more natural diet. However, others say there is no difference between backyard chicken eggs and store-bought eggs.

Chickens that are free in the yard or pasture and look for food in the grass and green leaves, rich in natural proteins, and that feed on insects, are better than those raised in aviaries fed with pelleted feed. 

These hens are raised by conditions to produce and are confined for a long time living in adverse conditions.

Some studies show that farm-fresh eggs have less cholesterol than store-bought eggs. For example, one study showed that farm-fresh eggs had 34% less cholesterol and 40% more vitamin A than store-bought eggs.

These chickens’ diets via dark leafy greens and insects, which free-range chickens eat, can give eggs with more vitamin A. The studies show they contain:

• 25% more vitamin E 
• More Beta-carotene 
• More omega-3 fatty acids 
• Less saturated fat 
• Less cholesterol

These nutrients are essential for heart health, so backyard chicken eggs may be healthier for those looking to reduce their cholesterol levels.

What Is The Healthiest Cholesterol?

Eggs are nutritious and are part of a healthy eating habit as they are an easy source of protein and contain vitamins and minerals.

A balance between cholesterol biosynthesis, HDL, and LDL and its utilization is essential for the body to remain healthy.

Cholesterol is essential to the body. What is harmful is its excess, linked to LDL. It’s where you need to know how to keep your balance.

Blood Cholesterol Levels And Health Risk

Pasture-raised eggs help increase levels of “good” HDL cholesterol and decrease levels of “bad” LDL cholesterol which should be:

• HDL (High-density lipoproteins) > or = 50 mg/dL
• LDL (Low-density lipoproteins) < 100 mg/dL
• Total Cholesterol < or = 190 mg/dL

Though pasture-raised eggs have a higher price tag than their conventionally-raised counterparts, they offer several health benefits that make them worth the investment. So if you’re looking for an egg with less cholesterol, pasture-raised eggs are a good choice.

​​Do Brown Eggs Have Less Cholesterol Than White Eggs?

No scientific evidence suggests brown eggs have less cholesterol than white eggs. The color difference is due to the breed of chicken, not the diet. Some people believe brown eggs are healthier, but no evidence supports this claim.

People who prefer brown eggs often think they taste better than white eggs. It’s not related to the health of the egg, and it’s a matter of personal preference.

The bottom line is there is no evidence to suggest that brown eggs are healthier than white eggs. The breed of chicken determines the color of the egg and has no bearing on the egg’s nutritional value.

And if you want to know more about who eats what, Europeans prefer brown, consuming about 60% of this type of eggs, while Americans usually go more for the white variety.

What Chicken Breeds Eggs Are The lowest In Cholesterol?

There are a few chicken breeds that are known to have low levels of cholesterol in their eggs. The most popular include:

• Araucana chicken
• Leghorn chicken
• Rhode Island Red chickens

According to SFGate.com, Araucana chickens have the lowest cholesterol levels of any chicken breed. Their eggs have about 50% less cholesterol than other chicken breeds.

Let’s compare the data.

Araucana Chickens 

They are a South American breed known for their blue or green eggs. Araucana eggs comparative data collected from chickens in different parts of the world. Araucana chicken eggs have the lowest levels of cholesterol. Every 100 grams of blue Araucana eggs has a cholesterol content of 1.315 grams, which contains an average per egg of 185 milligrams.

A typical chicken egg contains 185 milligrams of cholesterol. This number varies depending on the type of food and location, but it usually works out to 185 mg of cholesterol in each egg. Healthy people should eat less than 300 milligrams daily; one blue egg would exceed 62 percent of this limit.

Leghorn Chickens 

These chickens are an Italian breed that is known for their white eggs. Leghorn eggs have about 25% less cholesterol than store-bought eggs. A 100-gram serving of Leghorn chicken eggs has a cholesterol content of 1.163 grams.

Rhode Island Red Chickens 

It is an American breed that is known for its brown eggs. Rhode Island Red eggs have about 20% less cholesterol than store-bought eggs. A 100-gram serving of Rhode Island Red chicken eggs has a cholesterol content of 1.255 grams.

While a few breeds of chickens lay eggs with low cholesterol levels, the Araucana chicken has the lowest cholesterol level of any known breed.

Conclusion 

So, what’s the verdict? Are our backyard chicken eggs healthier than store-bought? Of course, cage-free eggs are more nutritious for you and your family. But if you want to get the most beneficial eggs possible, you should go with organic, free-range eggs from backyard chickens. 

Of course, this comes with its challenges – such as making sure your chickens have enough space to roam and eat healthy food – but the benefits far outweigh any drawbacks. 

If you’re thinking about getting some backyard chickens of your own, research which chicken breeds have the lowest cholesterol eggs!