Consumers are becoming increasingly aware of the benefits of eating fresh eggs. But it can still be a bit confusing when you visit the grocery store and have a selection of choices from cage-free, free-range, free-run, and organic.
The majority of eggs are produced by chickens confined to “cages”. These are small wire cubes that house five to seven birds each. Their beaks are cut so they don’t peck each other and they are stacked in row upon row upon row in large, windowless barns.
“Cage-free” means hens are not confined to battery cages, but that’s about it. They don’t have access to the outdoors.
Screenshot via YouTube
“Free-run” means chickens can move around in open concept barns. They may or may not have access to the outdoors but there may still be overcrowding issues.
“Free-range” means hens see the light of day and they get to go outside and walk around.
The chickens look so happy and healthy on this farm. They are free to drink water and have the sun on their beaks.
Their counterparts in the cage-free environment? Not so much.
Screenshot via YouTube
Check out the video below from a farm in New Zealand. These chickens run out of the barn into the daylight and when the camera pans back you will see them running out onto a grassy range that’s absolutely stunning! It’s like a chicken paradise!
What an incredible contrast and one that might give you pause before you buy your next dozen eggs. I’m glad consumers are getting more choices these days and that there’s increased transparency as to how they are raised.
There certainly are reasons to buy “happy chicken” eggs not the least of which is they come from happy chickens!
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