We all know the dilemma: Which came first… The chicken or the egg?
At this point in our lives, does it even matter? We’ve got bigger and better fish, er.. I mean eggs to fry.
The burning question nowadays doesn’t involve chicken or egg punctuality. I have yet to see a shopper at the grocery store debating this concept. Instead, the mystery gathers around the information found on an egg carton.
Our current debate points to egg-type confusion. Which really isn't about the egg as much as it is about the proper care and feeding of chickens.
However, these are the types of egg choices consumers are faced with:
Cage-free eggs
Free-range eggs
Organic eggs
And…. Just when you thought there weren’t any other options, there’s more!
Cruelty-free eggs
Conventional eggs
Pasture-raised eggs
It’s maddening. It’s eggravating! (Ok… that was a bit over the top.)
Let’s take a moment to look at each of the egg (chicken) types.
Cage-Free Eggs
When I see an egg carton boasting “cage-free,” I’m thinking, "This is great!" No more birds stuffed in a cage. They are free to frolic through clover fields and bask in the sunlight. Little Henrietta has the luxury of hanging out under the shade tree with her chicks. She can choose to take a stroll along the farm yard greeting all the other animals.
Not so fast.
Yes, Henrietta is free to chat with her friends. Although she’s not in a cage – she’s confined to a building. This could be a small shed or a large structure. [1] It all depends on the number of birds housed.
The birds will have nesting boxes and perches. [1] So there’s that. But the chickens are probably crowded. Some people also refer to cage-free eggs as barn-raised. I suppose the word barn promotes a better nostalgic feeling than shed or shelter.
So much for frolicking and basking.
Free-Range Eggs
Free-range eggs come from chickens who get access to yard time.
The key phrase is get access to.
That doesn’t mean the chickens actually use the outdoor area. It also doesn't necessarily mean they have unlimited access either. This is where Henrietta gets to do what chickens do if she chooses to do so.
Things like...
Searching for food, munching on greens, and enjoying the sunshine.[2]
You know, the normal chicken life.
She’ll get a bit of grain too.
These birds are housed in a safe space at night and during bad weather. This helps protect them from predators and health risks. [2]
Organic eggs
There is so much confusion about what organic truly means. If you want an in-depth understanding of organic, I recommend you start here: USDA, FDA, and the National Organic Program. The entire concept of organic is a different topic for another day.
On a high-level overview, organic means the eggs were produced by chickens fed a diet of organic food.
But what does that mean?
This is where we could get baited into going down a rabbit hole of information. But I’m committed to keeping this high level.
Simply stated – the chickens eat food without chemicals, pesticides, or fertilizers. That also means when Henrietta is out frolicking through clover, the field needs to be chemical-free for at least three years. [3]
I’ll add a little bit more here, and then I’ll stop. (I can feel an urge coming on to follow the white rabbit down the perpetual hole.)
Organic eggs also mean the chickens live cage-free. According to the Cleveland Clinic, the poultry industry banned growth hormones, so they won't be getting any of those. [4] But, there are times when chickens do get antibiotics.
Cruelty-Free Eggs
These eggs contain a Humane Certified label.
Why is cruelty-free eggs even a thing?
On the surface, humane treatment should be a given expectation.
Isn't this common sense?
I certainly don’t want Henrietta to suffer any cruelty in her short little chicken life.
Do we actually need to label egg cartons like this?
Apparently so.
You'll find plenty of resources if you search for cruelty-free or humane-certified eggs on the Internet. On the list of resources are farms that produce eggs under the label of cruelty-free.
Even some vegans who don’t eat animal products are lenient with these types of eggs. This is because the eggs come from old hens who have surpassed their commercial egg-laying lifespan [5].
A few other considerations on humane vs. inhumane treatment and conditions include:
Killing male chicks shortly after hatching
Overcrowding of chickens (caged or uncaged alike)
Injuries and illnesses
Lack of food, water, and sunlight
Inability to practice normal chicken behavior (dusting, playing, preening)
The white rabbit is back. I could easily go down a deep, dark rabbit hole of cruel living conditions in the chicken world. For now, I will let you do your own research - if you dare.
Conventional Eggs
Conventional = cage.
That pretty much sums it up. The chickens sit in cages where they live, eat, poop, and lay eggs.
That’s it in an eggshell.
Pasture-Raised Eggs
Ahhh, here we go. This is more like it.
Pasture-raised chickens live more naturally. Their feed is primarily whatever they hunt for. Because of this, their eggs are higher in Omega-3. Their yolks are a dark orangish color. The color is similar to carrots and sweet potatoes. This stems from the nutrient called lutein. [4]
Don’t confuse free-range and pasture-raised. They are not the same. Pasture-raised chickens have more square footage per chicken to roam. They have access to structures for safety and perching. But they aren’t kept confined to a building.
Pasture-raised is what I like to think of when I dream of chicken life. I picture a group of birds released from the hen house each day.
Running out into the fields.
Gossiping with the other farmyard animals.
Scratching the ground.
And eating a buffet of buggy delights.
Cue the harps.
Does All This Chicken and Egg Type Matter to You?
This is a question each person will need to answer for themselves.
You've been given some of the most common phrases used on egg cartons. When you’re at the store, browse the labels. Take photos of the cartons. When you get home, do your research.
One place to start researching is at the ASPCA website. You can review the different labels listed on their chart. Then compare to the labels on each of your egg carton photos.
It’s no wonder that so many people are seeking out local farms. Being able to ask a farmer how they care for their flock is essential. Being able to see firsthand whether chickens live in cages is important to many.
You should now have a better understanding of each egg/chicken type. This should help end confusion.
And, when you’re ready to shop for eggs again, you’ll be prepared and confident in your egg-buying decision.
Resources:
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