FAQ

• Are Dogwood Trace Farm eggs healthier than factory farm raised eggs?   Yes.  Studies have shown that farm fresh eggs from hens that have the opportunity to free-range have 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, 4 to 6 times more vitamin D and 7 times more beta carotene that most grocery store eggs.   Plus the yolks are a vibrant yellow-orange instead of a weak yellow.    
• How do you get the different egg shell colors?  We love our colorful egg shells!  Each breed of chicken lays a specific color egg.  For example, Easter Eggers and Araucanas lay blue/green eggs, while Barred Rocks and New Hampshires lay brown eggs and Anconas and Leghorns lay white eggs.  Each carton of our eggs contains a mixture of egg shell colors - blue, green, white, brown, cream, chocolate.  Remember, though, that taste and nutrition are the same - regardless of the shell color
• Why do you donate your “egg money” to Vanderbilt’s Children’s Hospital?   The money goes to an endowment for pediatric cancer research that our family established to honor our granddaughter, Lily, who completed treatment for leukemia in February 2011. 
• I cracked open an egg, and there was a spot on it.  What’s that?  Occasionally you might notice a black, brown or red spot in an egg.  These spots are caused by a rupture of a blood vessel on the yolk surface during the formation of the egg.  Chemically and nutritionally these eggs are fine to eat – although most people don't find them aesthetically appealing.  The same spots occur on commercial eggs, but the commercial egg producers use strong electronic lights to “candle” each egg so they can remove ones with spots.  Since we don’t candle our eggs, you will find spots every now and then.  If you wish, you can remove the spot with the tip of a knife and then use it as you'd planned, or you can feed it to a pet, or you can discard it.  These occasional spots are just part of having farm fresh eggs.  If you find an egg with a spot on one of our eggs, let us know and we’ll replace it.
• How do I pay for the eggs?  Right now we have all the egg customers we can handle.  Our eggs are in great demand!  If we have any opening for new customers, we will post that availability here.