Pasture-Raised, Ungraded Eggs, Mixed Sizes & Colors, 12 Count

Ungraded Eggs vs. Graded Eggs

We believe in the natural beauty of the nest. We currently offer ungraded eggs, which means they come to you exactly as our hens laid them—authentic, fresh, and full of character.

What are Ungraded Eggs?

Unlike supermarket eggs that are sorted by machines into uniform categories, our eggs are hand-gathered and sold in their natural variety. When you buy ungraded eggs directly from our farm, you’re getting:

• Natural Variation: A beautiful mix of sizes, shell colors, and weights.

• Farm-to-Table Freshness: These eggs skip the long industrial grading and distribution lines, arriving in your kitchen much faster than "Grade A" retail eggs.

• Small-Batch Quality: We focus on the health of our birds and the richness of the yolk rather than industrial uniformity.

The Grading Standard

"Grading" (such as Grade AA or A) is a commercial classification system used by large retailers to ensure every egg in a carton looks identical in terms of shell shape and weight. While we take great pride in the integrity of our eggs, we operate as a small-scale producer.

Per North Carolina regulations, if our farm sells more than 30 dozen chicken eggs per week, we will transition to the official sorting and classification process required for high-volume producers. Until then, we are delighted to provide you with the diverse, high-quality bounty of our local flock!

Returns or refunds are not accepted as the eggs are inspected by the customer upon receipt of the carton(s) and before payment (if paying by cash).

Delivery & Pickup Policy

No Shipping: To ensure the highest quality and freshness, we do not ship our poultry products.

Pickup: At checkout, please select Farm Pickup (Francisco, NC) or one of our Designated Pickup Locations.

Local Delivery: If "Local Delivery" is selected, we will contact you within 24 hours to coordinate a drop-off or discuss delivery fees based on your location.

Our Commitment to Egg Safety & Quality

We follow strict sanitation protocols to ensure every egg you receive is handled with the highest care. To maintain food safety and quality, we process our lightly soiled eggs using one of two approved methods:

1. The Sanitized Wash Process (Our Standard)

To provide a pristine, kitchen-ready product, we use a professional washing method that meets specific temperature and safety standards:

• Temperature Control: Eggs are washed in potable water that is at least 20°F warmer than the egg temperature (and at least 90°F).

• Approved Sanitization: We use only approved sanitizers (such as a precise solution of ½ oz household bleach per gallon of water) to ensure a clean shell.

• Safety First: Eggs are rinsed in a suspended colander without being submerged, then dried immediately to maintain integrity.

2. Dry Cleaning (The "Bloom" Option)

For customers who prefer to keep the egg’s natural protective "bloom" intact, we offer dry cleaning. Upon request, we can provide eggs that have been "dry cleaned."

• Precision Sanding: Eggs are lightly sanded to remove small areas of dirt without the use of water.

• Important Note: Per safety regulations, sanded eggs are never washed, as this preserves the natural seal of the shell.

• How to Order: If you prefer dry-cleaned eggs, please leave a note on the checkout page. Otherwise, you will receive our standard washed and sanitized eggs.

Storage & Handling: Regardless of the cleaning method used, all eggs are stored and delivered at or below 45°F in accordance with North Carolina law. Please keep your eggs refrigerated once you get them home.

Information Source

Our handling and sanitation procedures are based on the Egg Safety Tips provided by North Carolina State University (NCSU) Cooperative Extension.

You can review the full safety guidelines here: Growing Small Farms: Egg Safety Tips

Because we are North Carolina producers selling our eggs and poultry in their original farm state, you pay 0% Sales Tax on every whole chicken and carton of eggs! Since we are the farmers—not a grocery or retail store—your purchase is exempt from the standard sales tax. It's just one more benefit of buying direct from Ferentinos Family Farms!