is an essential amino acid vital to poultry health. It is not produced by the body and must be obtained through diet. Methionine deficiency can lead to curled toes, bare spots and improper feathering. But, poultry farmers can avoid using synthetic methionine by raising "free-range" organic birds, giving them access to pasture and supplementing their diet with organic feed ingredients that provide natural methionine.
• 4 to 6 times as much vitamin D
• 1⁄3 less cholesterol
• 1⁄4 less saturated fat
• 2⁄3 more vitamin A
• 2 times more omega-3 fatty acids
• 3 times more vitamin E
• 7 times more beta carotene
So, why isn't this the norm in organic poultry and egg production?
Because the industry has been lobbying for cheap feed and factory farm production methods.
But, the United Egg Producers are no fans of organic. On their home page, the top article is "Organic food not nutritionally better, survey finds." And, they claim that, "While farmers produce all types of eggs (regular, cage-free, organic) to meet consumer and market place demand, right now Americans prefer 'regular' eggs produced in modern, sanitary cage systems by a margin of 95% based upon their purchases and consumption statistics."
We can't let the United Egg Producers bully the organic industry into adopting their industrial production methods.
Organic consumers need to stand up for TRULY organic eggs and poultry.