Pasture-Raised Eggs at a Glance
Pasture-raised eggs come from hens with at least 108 sq ft of outdoor pasture each and continuous outdoor access during daylight hours. When accompanied by the Certified Humane® label, those standards are independently audited.
Free-range eggs come from hens with at least 2 sq ft of outdoor space each under Certified Humane® standards.
Cage-free eggs come from hens that are not kept in individual cages when indoors, though cage-free does not guarantee any access to outdoor space.
What Does Pasture-Raised Mean?
Pasture-raised eggs come from hens that are given access to outdoor pasture. The standard sounds similar to free-range, and both give hens meaningful outdoor access, but the difference comes down to how much space each hen is guaranteed.
To help you sort through common egg carton claims, we’re taking a closer look at pasture-raised standards, humane animal care, and what to look for on the cartons at the store.
How Much Space Do Pasture-Raised Hens Receive?
Pasture-raised means that hens get 108 square feet of outdoor space per hen.
It’s important to look for the Certified Humane® seal on any carton labeled pasture-raised. Without third-party certification, "pasture-raised" has no legal definition in the US.
Are Pasture-Raised Eggs Healthier for You?
Pasture-raised hens spend their days foraging on grass, bugs, and seeds. Researchers have studied the effects of this varied diet on egg composition and nutrition. A Penn State University study found that hens with access to outdoor pastures produced eggs with significantly more omega-3 fatty acids than eggs from caged hens. Separate research has linked outdoor access to higher levels of vitamin D when compared with eggs raised entirely indoors from cage-free or factory-farmed hens.
The bottom line: research suggests outdoor access influences what ends up in the egg. The Certified Humane® Pasture Raised label is the clearest way to verify that access on the carton.
Are Pasture-Raised Eggs Humane?
Both free-range and pasture-raised eggs can meet strong humane standards when verified by a third-party certification like Certified Humane®, which requires meaningful outdoor access during daylight hours.
We believe our hens are healthier, farmers are happier, and our eggs taste better when flocks have access to the outdoors and can exhibit natural behaviors like perching, dust bathing, and roaming in fresh air and sunshine.
Free-Range vs. Pasture-Raised Eggs: What's the Difference?
The main difference is the amount of outdoor space.
Pasture-raised hens get at least 108 square feet each, while free-range hens get at least 2 square feet. Both standards, when verified by Certified Humane®, require meaningful daily outdoor access during daylight hours.
In practice, hens move between indoor and outdoor space throughout the day, and many prefer the shade, water, and social areas of the barn, so flocks rarely cluster outside all at once. The hens who do venture out often have a wide stretch of pasture to themselves.
See the full comparison, including cage-free, free-range, pasture-raised, and organic, in the table below.
Cage-Free vs. Pasture-Raised Eggs: What's the Difference?
Cage-free is an indoor housing standard where hens aren't kept in individual cages but are not required to have any access to the outdoors. Free-range and pasture-raised refer specifically to outdoor space and access requirements.
Pete & Gerry’s does not offer cage-free eggs because we believe outdoor access is fundamental to humane care.
If outdoor access is important to you, free-range and pasture-raised labels can help guide your choice, especially when supported by a trusted third-party certification. See how cage-free, free-range, pasture-raised, and organic eggs compare in the table below.
Pasture-Raised vs. Free-Range vs. Cage-Free vs. Organic
Each label means something different, and not every claim guarantees the same things. Here's how the four most common egg labels compare in terms of outdoor space, access, feed, and what the certification actually verifies.
| Label or term | Outdoor space per hen | Outdoor access | Feed requirements | What the label guarantees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cage-Free | No guaranteed outdoor space | No outdoor access guaranteed | Varies | Hens are not kept in individual cages indoors |
| Certified Humane® Free-Range | 2 sq ft | Outdoor access for at least 6 hours a day, weather permitting | Not necessarily organic unless also USDA Organic | At least 2 sq ft of outdoor space per hen and HFAC standards |
| Certified Humane® Pasture-Raised | 108 sq ft | Year-round outdoor access with shelter for protection from severe weather and predators | Not necessarily organic unless also USDA Organic | At least 108 sq ft of outdoor space per hen and HFAC standards |
| USDA Organic | Outdoor access required | Access to outdoor space with at least 75% soil* | 100% certified organic feed, no synthetic pesticides, no antibiotics | Organic feed and USDA Organic production standards |
*By January 2, 2029 per the Organic Livestock and Poultry Standards (OLPS) rules.
Is Pasture-Raised the Same as Organic?
No. Pasture-raised describes how much outdoor space hens have and how they're housed. USDA Organic refers to a distinct set of standards including feed quality, living conditions, and restrictions on antibiotics and synthetic pesticides.
Some eggs carry both labels. Pete & Gerry's Organic Pasture Raised Eggs, for example, meet both the USDA Organic feed standard and the Certified Humane® Pasture Raised space standard.
If what the hens eat is important to you, look for the USDA Organic seal. It guarantees no synthetic pesticides, no GMOs, and no antibiotics.
What's the Difference Between Pasteurized and Pasture-Raised?
Pasteurized eggs have been heat-treated to kill harmful bacteria as a food safety process. Pasture-raised eggs refer to how the hens are raised, specifically their outdoor access and space requirements. The two terms describe different things, and an egg can be one, both, or neither.
Pete & Gerry’s Organic Free Range, Pasture Raised, and Organic Pasture Raised eggs are not pasteurized, while our Organic Liquid Egg Whites are pasteurized for food safety.
Where Did the Pasture-Raised Standard Come From?
The 108-square-foot standard traces back to the Soil Association, a British sustainable farming organization founded in 1946. Their early work on rotational grazing established that flocks needed roughly that much space per bird to keep pastures healthy as hens were rotated from field to field.
Today, that same figure is the basis for the Certified Humane® Pasture Raised standard. This outdoor space allows hens to forage naturally without depleting the land, giving pastures time to recover, supporting forage diversity, and contributing to long-term environmental sustainability.
How to Verify Claims on the Carton: A Checklist
Egg carton labels can be confusing, but a few key signals will tell you whether a claim is verified or just marketing:
1. Look for meaningful terms
Labels like “Pasture-Raised” and “Free-Range” provide more clarity than vague claims like “Farm Fresh” or “Natural.”
2. Check for third-party certification
Certifications by trusted third-party organizations, like Certified Humane®, help confirm that claims are backed by standards and audits.
3. Find the USDA Organic seal
If feed standards matter to you, the USDA Certified Organic seal confirms the eggs meet all federal organic requirements.
4. Look at the company behind the carton
A brand's website should clearly explain its standards, certifications, and farming practices. Look for B Corp certification, which Pete & Gerry's carries, as a signal of social and environmental accountability.
About Pete & Gerry's Eggs
At Pete & Gerry’s, the health and well-being of our hens and farmers always comes first. Our pasture-raised eggs are produced according to Certified Humane® Pasture-Raised standards, giving hens room to roam, forage, explore, and enjoy the outdoors.
When you choose Pete & Gerry’s, you’re getting eggs from humanely raised hens and supporting the network of family farms across the country that raise them.
