We know what you’re thinking; it’s an egg, what is there to know more about?! You may be surprised to learn that even the simple egg can conjure up dozens (no pun intended) of questions that Ontario egg farmers are used to answering when they meet new people or visit local fairs and events.

These questions can range (again, no pun intended!) from simple, such as “How fresh are eggs in the grocery store?” to a bit tougher, like “What’s the composition of an egg shell?” That’s why we created our list of the top half-dozen questions that Ontarians want to know about eggs, just in case you wanted to know the same things.

1. What’s the difference between brown and white eggs? Believe it or not, this is the question Ontario egg farmers get asked the most. The answer is simple – it all comes down to the breed of hen that laid the egg. The two main breeds of hens raised by egg farm families in Ontario are White Leghorns (which produce white eggs) and Rhode Island Reds (which lay brown eggs). There is no nutritional difference between brown or white eggs, the only difference is the colour of the shell.
2. What do hens eat? It seems like this should be a simple answer, right? Wrong! There are many misconceptions out there about exactly what a hen eats. The fact is hens in Ontario are fed a variety of things, for a variety of reasons. Hens are provided a balanced diet of corn, soy, or wheat, along with added limestone and a mineral mixture that offers the essential amino acids and vitamins they need. They always have access to fresh water. Free run and free range hens may also eat anything they find on the ground, including worms, insects and plants like grass or weeds.
3. What causes yolks to be different colours? Speaking of feed – egg yolk colour can vary depending on what the hen eats. A hen fed a wheat-based diet will have a pale, yellow yolk, while a corn-based diet can result in a deeper yellow yolk. Although the yolk colour can range in hue, it does not affect the nutrient content or quality of the egg.
4. Are hens given hormones or steroids? No! No hormones or steroids are used in the production of eggs in Canada – in fact, it is illegal to do so. It is also not necessary, as hens lay eggs naturally, about 1 egg every 24 hours, without additional prompting or assistance.
5. How do I know my eggs are Canadian? Just look for the Canada Grade A (maple leaf) or Egg Quality Assurance^TM (EQA®) symbol on the carton the next time you are in the store picking up your eggs!
6. I bought large eggs, why does it look like there are different sizes in my carton? When eggs are at the grading station, they are sorted by their weight, not size. Though some eggs in the same carton may look different in size, they will all fall within a similar weight range. For example, large eggs will range from 56-62 grams, while extra-large go from 63-69 grams.

Still have a question about eggs or egg farming that wasn’t answered? We’ve compiled an even bigger FAQ list here!

To learn more about fresh, high-quality, Ontario eggs and meet some of the more than 500 egg and pullet farm families from across the province, visit getcracking.ca.