Our Products Our Family Sustainability Food Safety Contact Us FAQs Are your egg cartons recyclable? Yes, Pearl Valley Eggs cartons are 100% recyclable. Environmental stewardship is an important core value we live every day, which is why we are also focused on sustainable farming practices. Isn't caging hens cruel? Pearl Valley Eggs is commited to humane hen care. We have created a family farm that is focused on keeping our hens healthy and happy. When compared to free-range birds, we have found that morality rates are lower and the health is better among our caged hens. The UEP scientific committee approves and states our density is humane. How much space does each bird have? Our modern cages exceed standard sizes - 27.7" x 22.6" - and have a maximum capacity of eight birds per cage, providing more cubic inches than most other farms and giving them the ample room to move around. Do hens like being together all of the time? Researchers have found that hens prefer to live in groups instead of being alone. How do you know if a hen is happy? Happy hens lay eggs, which is why our employees pay close attention to how many eggs our birds produce and take necessary steps to ensure our birds' safety, health and well being. Our hens have consistently high percentage laying records. How long does a hen produce eggs? When a hen is about five months old, she will begin laying one egg roughly every 26 hours for the next 2-3 years. Why do you trim their beaks? At the Hatchery, highly trained professionals use a non-invasive laser treatment to deaden 1/8" of the tip on their beak, which keeps the beak from growing a sharp point. This is done so the birds do not hurt each other during pecking. Where are your eggs produced? Pearl Valley Eggs proudly produces a variety of eggs on our family farm located between Pearl City and Kent, Illinois. We also have longstanding partnerships with other locally owned egg farms in Illinois. How fresh are your eggs? Fresh eggs are laid daily and are shipped within 48 hours to retailers nationwide. In fact, many retailers choose to carry Pearl Valley Eggs because of our speedy delivery, premium quality, commitment to food safety and focus on sustainability. Can eggs absorb odors from other foods in my refrigerator? Yes, which is why it is important to leave eggs in their carton while storing them in the refrigerator. What is the best way to store eggs? Keep the eggs covered in their carton on the bottom shelf of your refrigerator set at 40° F. Are eggs safe to eat after they expire? The American Egg Board suggests disposing of eggs after their expiration date. Should I be concerned about salmonella? We take great pride in the fact that Pearl Valley Eggs has never had a positive test for Salmonella Enteritidis (SE). This is largely due to our loyal employees who are dedicated to the healthy, humane treatment of our hens. Why do some eggs have a double yolk? Young chickens usually produce double yolks because their reproductive systems have not fully matured. What causes the yolk color to vary? The color of the yolk varies depending upon the amount of corn in the hen's diet. How much cholesterol does one egg have? On average, standard large eggs contain approximately 185mg of cholesterol. How are brown eggs different from white eggs? Nutritionally, there is no significant difference between brown eggs and white eggs. It is the genetic strain of the bird that determines the color of the eggshell. What are specialty eggs? Varieties such as free-range, cage-free, organic and Omega-3 are often referred to as specialty eggs because they are produced at a higher cost due the hens' housing, pricey feed ingredients and increased labor. What do egg grades mean? Nutritionally, there is no difference between grades. It is the quality and appearance of the shell and contents that determines the grade. Grade AA eggs have the best shape, with thick, firm whites and high, round yolks. Grade A eggs have a 15-day sell by date and are best for hard-cooking and have reasonably firm whites. Grade B eggs are best for baking because of their thin whites and wide yolks. How are eggs sized? The weight of the eggs as a per-dozen unit determines their size. One dozen extra large eggs typically weighs about 27 oz., large eggs weigh about 24 oz. and medium eggs weigh about 21 oz. Why are some eggs hard to peel? The fresher the egg, the more difficult it can be to peel. It is best to boil eggs that are aged or set a fresh egg on the counter overnight before boiling. What is that white lump inside the egg? That ropey strand of egg white is called the chalazae. It secures the yolk in place in the center of the egg white. The fresher the egg, the more prominent the chalazae. It is safe to eat, as it is neither a defect nor an embryo. What are you looking for when you "candle" eggs? The candling process has been replaced by electronic scanners that inspect the contents of the eggs for blood spots, cracks and other imperfections. Are blood spots harmful? No, eggs that have a blood spot are safe to eat. Most eggs with blood spots are removed during the electronic scanning process. If an egg does have a blood spot, simply use a knife or spoon to remove it before cooking. Pearl Valley Eggs, Inc. • 968 South Kent Road • Pearl City, IL 61062 • (815) 242-7650