1. Why are egg shells different colors?

They are laid by different breeds of chickens.  Most of our eggs are large in size and medium-brown in color, with a few coco-brown, green, and blue eggs.

2. Are all eggs the same in nutrition?

The nutrition value of eggs is assumed to be the standard set by the FDA, unless proven otherwise through testing.  A producer can claim higher levels of nutrition only if they have the tests to prove it on file.

3. How many milligrams of Omega-3 do Lazy H Ranch eggs provide?

Eggs from the Lazy H Ranch have been tested by Skaggs Nutrition Laboratory at Utah State University to prove that they provide 200mg of Omega-3.  Many althletes and health-conscious individuals consider this important.

4. How does a farm fresh egg differ from a store purchased egg?

The yoke of a farm fresh egg is firm (stands up), not runny, and is a brighter yellow in color.  This indicates the freshness of the egg.

5. Are the eggs from the Lazy H Ranch fertile?

No.  "The Girls" are kept away from any roosters to prevent fertilization of the eggs.

6. What does a red dot in a non-fertile egg mean?

Sometimes when eggs drop, there will be a slight tear before the shell forms.  Store eggs don't usually have red dots in them because they are older, and the red dot has been absorbed again by the yoke.

7. Is a red dot in an egg bad?

No, some people don't worry about it at all; others will spoon it out.  It's harmless.

8. How are the chickens at the Lazy H Ranch different from commercially raised chickens?

Commercial chickens are in cages with artificial lighting to force the chickens to produce two eggs per day - rather than nature's plan for one egg per day.  Our chickens are free to roam in a fenced in area that protects them from outside predators.  They are fed a vegetarian diet, based on the secret recipe of Joe Hurst of Hurst Ranch Feed in Jamestown, CA to ensure the health of the chickens and the nutritional value of their eggs.  We have water misters to keep them cool in the summer, and heaters to keep them warm in the winter.  Our chickens are not given any hormones or antibiotics.

9. How fresh are your eggs?

We gather, clean, and package our eggs 2 or more times per day.  The law allows eggs to be sold up to 30 days after they are packaged.  By law, egg cartons are stamped with the sell by date, which is 30 days after the eggs are packaged.  We recently conducted a survey of three of the leading grocery stores in the Bay Area and found the average of the eggs to be 16.75 days old.

10. What does the Lazy H Ranch do about the Bird Flu and other diseases?

We frequently and meticulously clean our chicken areas, and we keep the feed storage area mouse-proof to prevent contamination.  We are very concerned about the safety of our eggs, after all, we eat them, and our friends and family memebers eat them as well.  Cowboy Tom eats a 5-egg omelet as often as possible.  If the Bird Flu does hit Tuolumne County, a representative of the State of California's Department of Food & Agriculture will be contacting us and advising us of the plan of action that needs to be taken.

11. Does the Lazy H Ranch offer onsite tours?

Currently, we are not set up for tours or onsite sales.  Our eggs are currently available for sale at Barendregt's Grocery in Jamestown, CA and at Hurst Ranch Feed in Jamestown, CA.

12. Who owns and operates the Lazy H Ranch LLC?

The Lazy H Ranch LLC is owned and operated by Tom and Mitzi Hoffman.  Whenever they are away, the caretaker is Hilda Akins.