Let's EGGsterminate the factory farming of hens...
Why You Should Care
Hens are like your most beloved pets. They deserve all the love you can give to them. Hens are wonderful mothers, hence the term "Mother Hen." Hens are much smarter than you think. Hens can recognize up to 300 human faces! They are very social and congregate together in a flock. Hens express emotions like sadness, fear, enthusiasm, anxiety, frustration, friendship, and boredom. They love playing in the sun, digging at the ground, and chillin' with their friends. Since they provide us with such tasty and healthy eggs, shouldn't we give them a happy, natural, and free life?
The Problem: Factory Farming
90-95% of hens raised for eggs are suffering in cages or packed in enclosed indoor spaces to the point that they can barely move. They spend their whole lives in miserable conditions and never see the light of day. EVER. Even people who try to buy ethical eggs are misled by labels like "cage free" and "free range." These labels are tricks. It doesn't have to be this way! You can be the solution.
Cage-Free vs Free Range
Egg carton labels aren't all they're cracked up to be! According to the USDA, cage-free eggs come from hens that are "housed in a building, room, or enclosed area that allows for unlimited access to food, water, and provides the freedom to roam within the area." This doesn't regulate how much space the hens have to move or how many hens are packed into a space. The USDA defines free range similarly but with access to the outdoors. "Free range" hens can still live the majority of their lives in cramped indoor spaces. They may not have access to a quality outdoor space or even know how to access it.
How You Can Help: Buy Certified Humane Eggs
The "Certified Humane" label is managed by a non-profit charity whose mission is to improve the lives of farm animals. This certification ensures that hens raised for eggs have space to roam, perch, stretch, dust-bathe, nest, and live happy lives. You can find "Certified Humane" eggs at your local grocery stores, like Safeway, Whole Foods, and even Costco. Our favorite brand of eggs, when we're not using the ones laid by our own backyard flock, is Vital Farms. They're pasture-raised and certified humane which is the highest of standards.
Pasture-Raised is EGGselent for You and the Hen
Pasture-raised means that hens have regular access to the outdoors - roaming and foraging for seeds and bugs on grassy fields. They're leading happy, natural lives. A Mother Earth News study found that eggs from hens raised on pasture have less cholesterol and saturated fat, plus more vitamins A and E, beta carotene and polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids. Happy hens = healthier eggs.
Why I Care: My Backyard Flock
My name is Elisabeth and I have seven "pasture-raised" hens in my backyard: Bella, Disco, Charlie, Lucy, Buck, Windsor, and Fleur. They give us delicious eggs to eat and we give them lots of love and attention. This specific issue became important to me when I learned how millions of chickens are being treated on factory farms. I was appalled. I've made it a point to teach my family and friends how to buy humanely raised eggs.