Standard or Free Range Eggs?

[LitNetIsGreat]

Do you mostly buy standard or free range eggs?

In the past I used to buy a bit of both, but now I always buy free range eggs (and organic in everything I possibly can). I can understand why people would go for the cheaper option, currently standard eggs go for around 75p for 6, compared to about £1.50 for 6 on average, here, so that's about double cost. However the conditions that those caged hens are kept in means that I would rather pay more. We are talking about 5 hens to a cage that never come out and then are killed after a year. It's surely going to be better quality for free range too.

Here is a good programme on it, if you can access it and are interested, Jamie's Fowl Dinners:
http://www.channel4.com/programmes/jamies-fowl-dinners/4od

[TheFifthElement]

Where are you buying your eggs Neely? At my local Tesco they're £0.86 for 6 locally produced free range eggs. If you're paying £1.50 for 6, you're being ripped off!

I always buy free range eggs, but as to whether they're better quality I doubt it. I remember they did a chicken taste test on Countryfile once. They had a well known chef roast a battery chicken, free range chicken and corn fed chicken and did blind taste tests. Everyone preferred the battery chicken. The chef (I think it was Rick Stein) was mortified.

[LitNetIsGreat]

Where are you buying your eggs Neely? At my local Tesco they're £0.86 for 6 locally produced free range eggs. If you're paying £1.50 for 6, you're being ripped off!

I always buy free range eggs, but as to whether they're better quality I doubt it. I remember they did a chicken taste test on Countryfile once. They had a well known chef roast a battery chicken, free range chicken and corn fed chicken and did blind taste tests. Everyone preferred the battery chicken. The chef (I think it was Rick Stein) was mortified.

Yes, I'm beginning to think that I'm being ripped off at every turn. I get my eggs from Tesco's too and they're charging around £1.50. I also get my eggs from any farm shops when I can, like the other day I got some from the farm at Chatsworth House.

I would have thought though that the quality overall has to be better from free range chicken, both the eggs and the meat. I've seen similar tests when the audience preferred the organic stuff, like in that programme What Goes into Your Basket or on one of Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall's. (I'm a big fan of old Hugh.)

[kiki1982]

Yes, then you are being ripped off...

In my supermarket (Kaufland), I don't think you can actually get battery eggs, and if you can at all they won't be cheaper, I think more expensive. We namely always buy the cheapest, unless there is an argument for more expensive (i.e. better). We always take 'Bodenhaltung' which means the chickens are kept on the ground and not in cages. I think that they are allowed to walk around, but get their food in a trough or so and can go inside to sleep... Though I can be wrong I think that is free range, isn't it? They cost about 1,25euro, so now 1,30 pounds at best, for 10 eggs...

[Delta40]

Only Free Range Eggs with the RSPCA tick can be considered to be the best eggs in terms of humane treatment of chickens but even then it's a fine line.

best solution: a coop and 2-4 chickens in your own back yard.

[LitNetIsGreat]

Yes, then you are being ripped off...

In my supermarket (Kaufland), I don't think you can actually get battery eggs, and if you can at all they won't be cheaper, I think more expensive. We namely always buy the cheapest, unless there is an argument for more expensive (i.e. better). We always take 'Bodenhaltung' which means the chickens are kept on the ground and not in cages. I think that they are allowed to walk around, but get their food in a trough or so and can go inside to sleep... Though I can be wrong I think that is free range, isn't it? They cost about 1,25euro, so now 1,30 pounds at best, for 10 eggs...

Yes as long as they have access to outside and are given plenty of room inside then they are free range. The chickens from standard eggs, like in Tesco's, are produced from birds that never leave the cage. They have access to food and water via a conveyor belt. If the birds you describe don't have access to outside then they are like our barn eggs. These have better living conditions, i.e. not trapped in a cage with 5 others, but given space to roam freely inside in less cramped conditions.

When it comes to farming for meat the standard birds in supermarkets, over here at least, particularly from Tesco's, never go outside or see natural light. They are crammed in a big warehouse thousands of birds together, approximately 17 or 18 birds to a square metre. They are given artificial light for 23 and a half hours a day and are bred to continually eat. The cycle of the chickens under these conditions is just 39 days. The unnatural growth means that at the end, their legs can hardly support their own weight so they mostly just sit in their own feces.

The organic chickens are given more space inside, have access to natural light and access to roam freely. The cycle for those chickens are longer, something like 54 days, and they are obviously more expensive to produce. Though the are obviously visibly much better.

There is a half-way measure which some supermarkets/producers are putting in place, which is based upon improving the standard conditions so that they have access to natural light and more space. They also have objects like perches, and hay etc, but don't have access to outside. However the use of the cage birds for eggs method and the factory farming for meat, set to continue. There is even some new European legislation being put in place which would allow them to cram even more birds together. A step backwards, not forwards methinks...

Only Free Range Eggs with the RSPCA tick can be considered to be the best eggs in terms of humane treatment of chickens but even then it's a fine line.

It is a fine line, in some cases such stickers are inaccurate.

best solution: a coop and 2-4 chickens in your own back yard.

Absolutely. Or next best get them from farms yourself where you can seeing running around your feet.

[The Comedian]

I usually alternate between free-range and traditional eggs, mostly due to expense and not wanting to lock myself into always buying the spendier egg.

Just an aside, when I grew up, my family lived next a small ranch. Our families were close, and my father and I would collect chicken eggs at our friend's coop. It was an incredibly fun experience for a young boy. Oh, and the eggs were blue and usually had spots of poop or blood on them, so we'd have to wash them afterwards.

We collected them in ice-cream buckets. Fun times and good eating too!

EDIT: I just did a quick search and I believe the chickens in that coop were of the Araucana breed, which lay a light blue egg, just like I remember.

[Helga]

free range always for me, I feel better because of the treatment behind the standard and they cost almost the same... Also here on the ice the free range are icelandic (at least the company I buy from) and they taste and look different, they are not white but brown and the taste is stronger I think and the yellow thing in the middle is more red.. very yummy

[OrphanPip]

There's reasonable health arguments to prefer free range over factory farmed, there is much less chance of salmonella contamination in free range chickens.

I don't really think there's much difference in taste.

[LitNetIsGreat]

Good point, there are sure health benefits for taking the free range option.

I think the taste is perhaps more evident in the meat, but if you look at the colour of an egg yolk that is free range it is different to that of a caged bird, one of them is bright yellow, the other a more orangey colour.

Anybody interested in chickens and eggs and all of that should check out the Channel 4 link, and also search for the programme Hugh's Chicken Run, available through Channel Four On Demand - I don't know if you can get this outside of the UK though, but it is also available through You Tube. I'm not really a chicken activist, as it might sound, but the programmes are worth watching. I love Hugh in particular, top guy.

[papayahed]

I usually buy the standard eggs. I don't eat eggs often and if I buy anymore then 1/2 dozen at a time I have to throw them out. Sometimes I even have to throw out the carton of six.

I've tried the free range and I knew a guy who gave me eggs, they all tasted the same to me.

[Themis]

I mostly buy free range eggs. Occasionally though, if standard eggs have been delivered more recently and I only use them to bake something, I'll buy those.

[prendrelemick]

If you shop at the Co-op they only sell free range eggs. Also they only use free range eggs in their baked goods.

All battery egg production will be out-lawed in this country in 2012, so your choice will be removed.

As to taste and colour, it is all down to the diet of the chicken, a truly free range hen has a dark yellow/orange yolk, due to the carotene in the grass. (Yes, hens love grass) Their eggs also have a strong taste - delicious once you get used to them.

Feed companies can prvide the farmer with a ration to produce exactly the yolk colour he wants, at a price, the deeper the yellow the more expensive.

[Taliesin]

I remember that when we bought eggs from a neighbour who kept chicken, they did taste much better than the ones bought from the shop.

Alas, I've yet to see a free-range eggs in an Estonian supermarket.

[LitNetIsGreat]

If you shop at the Co-op they only sell free range eggs. Also they only use free range eggs in their baked goods.

All battery egg production will be out-lawed in this country in 2012, so your choice will be removed.

As to taste and colour, it is all down to the diet of the chicken, a truly free range hen has a dark yellow/orange yolk, due to the carotene in the grass. (Yes, hens love grass) Their eggs also have a strong taste - delicious once you get used to them.

Feed companies can provide the farmer with a ration to produce exactly the yolk colour he wants, at a price, the deeper the yellow the more expensive.

Oh, I didn't know that the Co-op did that, that's good. Out of all of the supermarkets the Co-op seems to be at the front of such things, the Tesco the last.

That's right the battery will be outlawed soon. How do you think they will meet the demand for eggs? Will it be achievable to go 100% free range or barn immediately, or will they ship from out of the UK?


I remember that when we bought eggs from a neighbour who kept chicken, they did taste much better than the ones bought from the shop.

Alas, I've yet to see a free-range eggs in an Estonian supermarket.

Yes the "Chatsworth Omelette" I cooked Mrs Neely was the, and I quote, "best omelette I've ever had" that has to be down to more than just my cooking skills and excessive use of herbs! (Though tonights super Lasagne really hit the spot too.)

[altheskeptic]

I usually buy the standard egg because we are on a very strict budget.
But I am going to get some chickens in the spring (I have mentioned this before)
to go with my goats. Rhode Island Red seems to be the best choice for me. They forage for a lot of their own food and are good for meat and eggs. Since my goats are not dairy goats it should be a good combination.

Have you ever done a float test on your eggs? You can put them in water to tell how fresh they are. If they float to the top they are very old, flat on the bottom= fresh.

Stories Guide to Chickens has pictures.

[Virgil]

Whichever are on sale. I doubt there is a difference.

[LitNetIsGreat]

I usually buy the standard egg because we are on a very strict budget.
But I am going to get some chickens in the spring (I have mentioned this before)
to go with my goats

That's excellent, I would love to have a few chickens, though I need a bigger space for that. I bet you notice the jump in quality hugely.


Whichever are on sale. I doubt there is a difference.

There is a difference; both in the way the birds are kept and in the colour and taste of the egg. I would argue that there is even greater difference when it comes to chickens farmed for meat perhaps, but there is still a difference when it comes to the egg too (see Pren's post in regard to diet of the chicken).

On a side note I think it is great that more people are buying the free range option rather than eggs from the caged birds, I thought it would be the other way around.

[Themis]

I can't say I've noticed a difference in taste between standard and free range eggs. Actually, I have no idea why we use only free range eggs to eat (boiled, scrambled) or make mayonnaise.

@Virgil: Ohh! I wouldn't have said that if I were you. Animal liberationists around here are going to tear you to shreds. ;)

[wessexgirl]

If you shop at the Co-op they only sell free range eggs. Also they only use free range eggs in their baked goods.

All battery egg production will be out-lawed in this country in 2012, so your choice will be removed.

As to taste and colour, it is all down to the diet of the chicken, a truly free range hen has a dark yellow/orange yolk, due to the carotene in the grass. (Yes, hens love grass) Their eggs also have a strong taste - delicious once you get used to them.

Feed companies can prvide the farmer with a ration to produce exactly the yolk colour he wants, at a price, the deeper the yellow the more expensive.

Yes, can I bang the gong for the good old Co-op? I have always shopped there, to the puzzlement of some of my family who see it as expensive. I like their ethics though, and they seem to have been at the forefront of Fair Trade products for a very long time, which I try to buy when I can. I buy their Simply Value range of eggs, which are free range, but are not all the same size, so a carton of 10 eggs, of different sizes, is cheaper. I've bought free range eggs for so long, I can't recall if they taste any different, I just did it for the animal welfare side.

[Paulclem]

Free range. The way other chickens are treated is horrible. Mass produced chicks - males gassed - females stuck in a cage for life. Truly horrible. The taste just doesn't figure.

I don't blame anyone for buying the standard eggs. I didn't know at one time - and most people won't know about it. There's also an extra cost to factor in as has been mentioned. It's good that battery hen poduction will be stopped in the UK. It's got to be better, even if it costs a little more.

[katelbach]

I eat a lot of eggs (hnnnnggg!) and there's no doubt that free range eggs are much richer in flavour than battery ones. The battery eggs usually have a much paler yolk - perhaps that has something to do with it, i dunno. The more orangey the yolk, the richer the taste. And the prettier the dish!

Would always go with free range anyway, even if they tasted worse and were more expensive than battery eggs. Battery chickens have the worst life imaginable.

[Themis]

I bought eggs today and surprisingly, there seems to be a third category, namely "deep litter" (Bodenhaltung), where hens aren't kept in cages but in a floor pen. Anyone know the difference between these and free range?

[LitNetIsGreat]

I bought eggs today and surprisingly, there seems to be a third category, namely "deep litter" (Bodenhaltung), where hens aren't kept in cages but in a floor pen. Anyone know the difference between these and free range?

It sounds like our barn variety maybe? These are the half-way house between the free range and the caged hens. The barn variety are free to roam within doors, but not outside. They usually have fairly decent space inside, probably with natural light and things to keep them occupied. Definitely better than the cage variety, but not as good as free range. Anyone who is on a budget though, they could at least stretch out to this second option perhaps?

[altheskeptic]

My uncle used to have a commercial chicken farm. He raised meat birds.

The feed was delivered by the buyers, as were the chicks. Did you know they put arsenic in the feed to make them grow faster? When they were ready he had to sell them before they began to die from cardiac arrest. It took about six weeks from chick to fryer.

The egg farms had the hens in cages stacked on top of one another. When the top hen pooped the droppings never hit the floor. It was eaten.

[Paulclem]

My uncle used to have a commercial chicken farm. He raised meat birds.

The feed was delivered by the buyers, as were the chicks. Did you know they put arsenic in the feed to make them grow faster? When they were ready he had to sell them before they began to die from cardiac arrest. It took about six weeks from chick to fryer.

The egg farms had the hens in cages stacked on top of one another. When the top hen pooped the droppings never hit the floor. It was eaten.

It doesn't resonate much with the advertising associated with the products does it.

[Janine]

I see that most of your are from the UK. I buy Eggland's Best in the US. They claim they are vegatarian feed. I don't know if they are free-range but they seem to taste better to me than other eggs I have eatten. I will check tomorrow to see how dark the yolks are.

For further enlightening on safety and our food see these two excellent documentaries:

The Future of Food (I found this on Hulu on the internet - free)

Food, Inc. (Excellent movie - got it at my local library)

Both shed a great deal of light on food and it's 'production/manufacturing' in modern society. The documentaries focus on genetically engineered food....a real eye-opener indeed.

[Lulim]

I always buy free range eggs.

@Janine, is it not compulsory for the egg producers to declare the conditions the animal are kept in (correct preposition?).

It's simply disgusting what the food industry does to our food.

[LitNetIsGreat]

My uncle used to have a commercial chicken farm. He raised meat birds.

The feed was delivered by the buyers, as were the chicks. Did you know they put arsenic in the feed to make them grow faster? When they were ready he had to sell them before they began to die from cardiac arrest. It took about six weeks from chick to fryer.

The egg farms had the hens in cages stacked on top of one another. When the top hen pooped the droppings never hit the floor. It was eaten.

Sounds lovely, arsenic, poop and arsenic yum. Six weeks from chick to chicken is shocking.


I see that most of your are from the UK. I buy Eggland's Best in the US. They claim they are vegatarian feed. I don't know if they are free-range but they seem to taste better to me than other eggs I have eatten. I will check tomorrow to see how dark the yolks are.

For further enlightening on safety and our food see these two excellent documentaries:

The Future of Food (I found this on Hulu on the internet - free)

Food, Inc. (Excellent movie - got it at my local library)

Both shed a great deal of light on food and it's 'production/manufacturing' in modern society. The documentaries focus on genetically engineered food....a real eye-opener indeed.

Does it not say on the box or stamped on the egg? I think they have to do that in the UK.

I've seen clips of Food Inc, but I'll check out the other one thanks.

[altheskeptic]

I would not go too crazy on GM foods. Some of them can be a real benefit to mankind. We have (here in the U.S.) "roundup" ready corn and soybeans. They are used for "no till" farming. The farmer does not plow the ground, he simply seeds over the previous years crop residue conserving not only the soil but saving petrol.
He sprays the crop and it kills the weeds. Everything goes back into the ground the dirt makes the chemical (roundup) inert.

And don't forget GM rice. Yellow rice has beta-carotene. It can help reduce blindness in third world countries by supplying much needed vitamin A.

A GM food is much better than no food.

[LitNetIsGreat]

Sure, all things have to be considered and technology has to be used if it is to our advantage. I can't help think however, that things have gone too far the other way and common sense, in some cases, is lacking or sacrificed for a quick profit.

[TheFifthElement]

A GM food is much better than no food.
I think you raise an interesting point altheskeptic. Having a food conscience is a luxury many simply cannot afford.

[Virgil]

Sure some farm animal conditions are horrible, but it brings the price down, which allows for poorer people to afford meat and dairy. It's a tough call, but I'd rather raise the living standard of people.

[OrphanPip]

The issues of GMO and factory farming are complicated and aren't as black and white as people tend to make them.

My primary concern with GMOs is the patenting of the seeds which renders farmers in developing countries financially dependent on foreign corporations.

[Themis]

GM? GMO? Sorry?

[LitNetIsGreat]

Sure some farm animal conditions are horrible, but it brings the price down, which allows for poorer people to afford meat and dairy. It's a tough call, but I'd rather raise the living standard of people.

I know what you are saying, but I think it is somewhat counter-productive to think like this in the long-term. You have to start asking yourself if meat/eggs brought up under such conditions actually give long term health benefits for the individuals who are buying them. Is it really raising the standards of people eating really poor quality meat/dairy? I have my doubts.

Personally, if I couldn't afford to buy even the mid-range meat/eggs then I wouldn't buy them at all; I think I'd be better off getting my protein from other sources. Or, instead of having say chicken once a week I would have it once a fortnight and have the proper stuff. I'm not criticising those who do otherwise I'm just saying what I would do.

[prendrelemick]

I see that most of your are from the UK. I buy Eggland's Best in the US. They claim they are vegatarian feed. I don't know if they are free-range but they seem to taste better to me than other eggs I have eatten. I will check tomorrow to see how dark the yolks are.

For further enlightening on safety and our food see these two excellent documentaries:

The Future of Food (I found this on Hulu on the internet - free)

Food, Inc. (Excellent movie - got it at my local library)

Both shed a great deal of light on food and it's 'production/manufacturing' in modern society. The documentaries focus on genetically engineered food....a real eye-opener indeed.

Not sure about the vegitarian feed thing. Your average free range hen eats all the animal protien it can scratch up with a great deal of relish. I think there are certain amino acids a hen needs, that are only found in animal protiens. Fishmeal is the usual source in commercial feeds - If you've ever noticed a fishy tasting egg- that's why.

[OrphanPip]

GM? GMO? Sorry?

Genetically modified organisms.

[Paulclem]

Sure some farm animal conditions are horrible, but it brings the price down, which allows for poorer people to afford meat and dairy. It's a tough call, but I'd rather raise the living standard of people.

It's a balancing act - given that some people are poor and unable to afford the better foods and naturally go for the cheapest.

I think it should be a aspiration for a society, though, to reduce suffering where it can. We can do little as individuals, but vote with our wallets if we are able, yet over time the awarenes of battery hens has grown and the legislation has turned in favour of free range in the UK. Perhaps it can happen with cattle too given time.

By the way, I bought half a dozen free range eggs for 89p today at a cheap grocers in town,

[altheskeptic]

With anything,and that goes double here in the U.S., do your homework. If someone makes a claim... listen carefully... think... then ask the 64 dollar question.

Where's the evidence?

[Virgil]

I know what you are saying, but I think it is somewhat counter-productive to think like this in the long-term. You have to start asking yourself if meat/eggs brought up under such conditions actually give long term health benefits for the individuals who are buying them. Is it really raising the standards of people eating really poor quality meat/dairy? I have my doubts.

Oh please Neely, I've been eating standard meat and eggs all my life and I'm pretty fit and healthy. Everyone in my family has. The overwhelming majority of people do. If - and that's a big big if - there is a nutritional plus to free range whatever, it's got to be extremely marginal. Frankly I don't even believe there is. You're being sucked into an advertising campaign.


Misconceptions
Free range does not imply in any way that the hens were fed any differently than on normal commercial farms. The label "free roaming" does not describe feed supplies, which means that free-range hens can be fed the same animal-derived byproducts or GMO crops as in other non-organic farms. This is also the main reason why free-range eggs are cheaper than organic eggs.

Consumers of free-range eggs want eggs from hens that are kept under traditional low-density, free-range conditions. Critics of EU-style free-range regulations point out that commercial free-range egg farming, in general, does not live up to these consumer requirements, since the regulations allow the use of yarding rather than free range. Yarding combines a high-density poultry house with an attached fenced yard, and both its methods and results are closer to high-density confinement than true free range.[5]

Free-range eggs may be broader, and have more of an orange colour to their yolks[6] due to the abundance of greens and insects in the diet of the birds. An orange yolk is, however, no guarantee that an egg was produced by a free-range hen. Feed additives such as marigold petal meal, dried algae, or alfalfa meal can be used to color the yolks.[7]

Nutritional Content
Data from reliable research is scarce; however, some small studies suggest the nutritional content of eggs from genuine free-range hens (hens that forage daily on a grass range) is superior to that of eggs produced by conventional means. These studies report higher levels of Omega 3 and Vitamins A and E, and lower levels of total fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, and Omega 6.[8][9][10][11]

A study by the U.S. Department of Agriculture found no nutritional benefits to free-range eggs.[12]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free-range_eggs

I'll believe the US Dept of Agriculture until proven otherwise.

[Themis]

Genetically modified organisms.

Ah, I see. Thanks, OrphanPip.

[LitNetIsGreat]

Oh please Neely, I've been eating standard meat and eggs all my life and I'm pretty fit and healthy. Everyone in my family has. The overwhelming majority of people do. If - and that's a big big if - there is a nutritional plus to free range whatever, it's got to be extremely marginal. Frankly I don't even believe there is. You're being sucked into an advertising campaign.

And my grandad has been smoking since he was 12...

One question then, standard or free range?

Standard eggs:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4_R5sGHIGo

Or Free Range?:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7M3WbIemi4

Actually, I have issue with the term "standard" because to me there is nothing standard about that. To me what is standard is normal and that's not, or shouldn't be.

I'm not a scientist, and can make no such claim based on any evidence other than my own common sense, which tells me that it cannot be but beneficial to take the free range option looking at those conditions.

For the sake of about 5/10p per egg extra, personally I think I'll go with the latter; tastier, healthier, morally acceptable option. But rightly, it is up to people to decide that for themselves.

[Virgil]

Hey, what a coincidence. As it turns out my current issue of Nutrition Action (a nutrition newsletter I receive monthly) has a article on cage versus cage-free chickens. Most of the article deals with the ethics of caged raised chickens, and to be honest I'm moved by it ("A typical caged hen lives in an area no bigger than this page.") and the increased risk of salmonella from caged raised chickens. We had an instance here in the US a few months ago where salmonella from eggs effected a number of people (I think a couple of people might have even died) and they had to recall half a billion eggs. I can't even imagine a half a billion eggs. I wonder how many eggs are laid in the US every day.

As for nutrient claims, while the article doesn't spend a lot of words on it, it does say a lot depends on the feed the growers give the hens. "Caged and caged-free hens typically eat the same corn-based diet, so there's no nutritional difference between their eggs. But some producers supplement their hen's diets with ingredients that raise the level of some nutrients."

Frankly, if you're basing your egg purchasing decision on possible nutritional advantage, I think it's not worth it. First of all the modern diet contains more than enough daily nutritional content. Very few people (probably alcoholics and drug addicts being the exception) today don't get proper nutrition from a balanced diet. Whatever extra you might be getting from caged free eggs is unnecessary. Second, I don't think you really know what the nutritional content of the eggs are. How do you prove what the farmer fed the hens?

But if you're basing the decision on humane treatment of the animals, I understand and I might in time go along with it too. Good post to Paul a few comments above here.

[motherhubbard]

Only Free Range Eggs with the RSPCA tick can be considered to be the best eggs in terms of humane treatment of chickens but even then it's a fine line.

best solution: a coop and 2-4 chickens in your own back yard.

Chickens are so fun. I say you need 20-30 at least. You can always give those extra eggs away.


There's reasonable health arguments to prefer free range over factory farmed, there is much less chance of salmonella contamination in free range chickens.

I don't really think there's much difference in taste.

My eggs have yolks that are a dark yellow, almost orange. I think there is a huge difference in taste. Maybe it's a visual thing and my mind is just tricking me.

[prendrelemick]

Its one of those issues it is almost impossible to get straight facts on. Every article I read has an editorial bias one way or another.

[LitNetIsGreat]

My eggs have yolks that are a dark yellow, almost orange. I think there is a huge difference in taste. Maybe it's a visual thing and my mind is just tricking me.

I too definitely think that there is a difference in taste and not suprising really.


Hey, what a coincidence. As it turns out my current issue of Nutrition Action (a nutrition newsletter I receive monthly) has a article on cage versus cage-free chickens. Most of the article deals with the ethics of caged raised chickens, and to be honest I'm moved by it ("A typical caged hen lives in an area no bigger than this page.") and the increased risk of salmonella from caged raised chickens. We had an instance here in the US a few months ago where salmonella from eggs effected a number of people (I think a couple of people might have even died) and they had to recall half a billion eggs. I can't even imagine a half a billion eggs. I wonder how many eggs are laid in the US every day.

As for nutrient claims, while the article doesn't spend a lot of words on it, it does say a lot depends on the feed the growers give the hens. "Caged and caged-free hens typically eat the same corn-based diet, so there's no nutritional difference between their eggs. But some producers supplement their hen's diets with ingredients that raise the level of some nutrients."

Frankly, if you're basing your egg purchasing decision on possible nutritional advantage, I think it's not worth it. First of all the modern diet contains more than enough daily nutritional content. Very few people (probably alcoholics and drug addicts being the exception) today don't get proper nutrition from a balanced diet. Whatever extra you might be getting from caged free eggs is unnecessary. Second, I don't think you really know what the nutritional content of the eggs are. How do you prove what the farmer fed the hens?

But if you're basing the decision on humane treatment of the animals, I understand and I might in time go along with it too. Good post to Paul a few comments above here.

Hey good man. Yes, well, whether there are any health benefits from going free range is at best only a side issue for me anyway. For me, buying free range eggs (and chicken) is about what I consider to be morally right. I’m not particularly an animal lover by any means, I’m certainly not a “pet person”, but for me the conditions these animals are kept in are way below what I see as acceptable to treat other living creatures by on any level. That’s the short of it really.

It’s funny, we are supposed to be a nation of animal lovers, as the cliché goes, which seems a little ridiculous considering the treatment that’s allowed for these birds. I suspect that if you kept a dog or a cat in the same conditions, i.e. trapped in a cage for a year, barely able to turn around and never getting out (only to be killed), eating and defecating in the same place, then there would be an extremely strong case for prosecution on grounds of animal cruelty. However, it seems if it is done to chickens it is seen as normal, as “standard” – it’s OK to treat them in such a way for some reason? I don’t get it. Why the double standard?

If all it takes is buying an egg at an extra 5p, or whatever, then it’s a vote for common decency in my book. I’m certainly pleased that this system will be outlawed in the UK by 2012; because it seems that these birds have the worst life imaginable.

[LitNetIsGreat]

I'm just shamelessly bumping this up one more time to catch any stray voters. So far, it seems that more people are willing to pay the bit extra for free range eggs but not for the chickens themselves.

[*Classic*Charm*]

I'll throw in my two cents, Neely. And I'll clear up a few chicken/egg myths along the way!

Brown chickens lay brown-shelled eggs, white chickens lay white-shelled eggs. Egg shell colour does not in any way affect taste. ;)

The colour of the yolk (ranging from pale yellow to dark orange/red) is determined by the diet fed to the laying hen. That's why you see regional differences- an area tends to prefer yolks of a certain colour because that is what they're used to as the hens are fed based on what's locally available. There will be some taste variation because of the different types/ relative amounts of protein.

I think before you can make a decision on this matter, you need to understand the welfare concerns with both types of housing. A lot of people have been arguing for free-range eggs because of the animal welfare issues associated with battery cages (the stacks of wire cages in which birds are housed). Everyone should also be aware that there are welfare issues associated with free-range birds as well. These birds are subject to competition for feed and space and places within the dominance hierarchy when they are not confined. There are much higher instances of feather pecking, fighting, and cannibalism in free-range birds, and these animals are subjected to beak trimming, in which the tip of the bird's beak is clipped off (anesthetic- and analgesic-free) to prevent injury among the birds, though there is chronic pain associated with this process and it does not prevent fighting.

There's no question that battery cages have a lot of issues. The birds experience a lot of frustration for various reasons, particularly at not having access to a nest box when they lay, they're often overstocked, and movement is severely restricted. It's a pretty terrible system, but does have some advantages for both the animals and the producers (fewer injuries, more sanitary). This system is on the way out in Europe (YAY!!, already gone in Switzerland, and hopefully Canada won't be tooo far behind. Sorry US, you guys are slacking in the animal welfare department). Actually, for those of you who thought that the cages looked unsanitary, there are more issues concerned with sanitation for free-range birds. Free-range birds eat food off the same ground on which they defecate. Caged birds eat out of a feeder (space does not allow them to defecate in the feeder unless they're pretty talented).

That being said, I don't think either housing system is preferable. Research from the 90s has already made suggestions for improved housing systems for poultry, that provide more space, as well as nest boxes and perches. These enhanced cages still allow for the smaller group size and better hygiene associated with cage housing. Basically, there is definitely a happy medium in the works in terms of poultry welfare, but it will take a long time for the system to be adopted because of economic constraints.

So all in all, I'm very against the battery cage system but I don't think that free-range is the best solution either. When it comes to buying eggs, a few people buying free-range over caged is not enough to make a significant difference to this industry. There needs to be more educated awareness so that people can make real differences- finding good alternative solutions to the crappy systems we have now. That means admitting that there are good reasons for having those crappy systems, we just need to improve on them.

[LitNetIsGreat]

Firstly, thanks for adding and sharing your knowledge to this thead and issue. Some good points made, thank you. I only have a little time left in me so I'll just reply to a few points as not to feel rude by not doing so.

It is true definitely that egg yolk colour is determined by diet. I've read and read about that and others have posted on this as well. So I definitely agree with this point.

I agree and know that some of the conditions of free range birds are not ideal, and I have had it first hand from animal welfare people (of which I am not one really, though I suppose it looks like that) that some wacky ones even prefer the caged system because there are less deaths in this way. However I can only feel that this is utter nonsense and stupidity. The caged system for me is the biggest system of animal abuse in this country and as you say, thankfully, soon to be outlawed here. Personally, I would sooner see a more natural free range system - for me this is not science - just let the chickens roam around feeding and living naturally. The problem comes when you have to produce this system on the larger scale because it puts pressure on the whole thing. Ideally, we would have lots of smaller farms which would ease the pressures, but this is not likely of course. I did say ideally.

Just one quick point because Mrs Neely is nagging for the laptop, I'll edit later and add more, actually the sales of free range eggs in this country is about 50/50 I believe, in terms of free range Vs cruel caged which is quite remarkable when all is considered. So, unless I am mistaken on this point, though I'm sure it is close to 50/50 at least, 70/30 at most (depends if they take barn into account?), I believe it is a big factor, at least in the UK, in making a difference on the system of production as the soon to be (about time) outlawed system shows.

[*Classic*Charm*]

Firstly, thanks for adding and sharing your knowledge to this thead and issue. Some good points made, thank you. I only have a little time left in me so I'll just reply to a few points as not to feel rude by not doing so.

My pleasure! I love when animal conversations come up around here! I study animal biology in university, and my program heavily focuses on farm animal species.


I agree and know that some of the conditions of free range birds are not ideal, and I have had it first hand from animal welfare people (of which I am not one really, though I suppose it looks like that) that some wacky ones even prefer the caged system because there are less deaths in this way.

I only want to ensure here that you mean true animal welfare people, NOT animal rightists. They are very, very different. Within that, when it comes to animal welfare, there is an enormous amount of science to be considered. Welfare is not about simply keeping the animal alive on principle, or about maximizing "natural" conditions.


However I can only feel that this is utter nonsense and stupidity. The caged system for me is the biggest system of animal abuse in this country and as you say, thankfully, soon to be outlawed here. Personally, I would sooner see a more natural free range system - for me this is not science - just let the chickens roam around feeding and living naturally.

Herein lies one of the largest misconceptions about animals- that "natural" is always better. How could a life where you have to compete for food, be exposed to the elements, fight with others, and undergo a painful mutilation automatically be better than any other life? That's not an animal welfare perspective because you're not looking out for what's actually best for the animal; it's a rights perspective where you claim that a certain type of life is just the way an animal should live. Another problem with people and this industry is anthropomorphizing, where a human treats an animal as though it has the same capacity for experiencing things as a human. As far as the research goes (according to a first-hand account from one of the world's leading welfare scientists whose focus is poultry housing and behaviour), chickens are not capable of feeling boredom the way people do. They feel frustration when they cannot exhibit natural behaviours, but these behaviours can be allowed by the right type of caging system. Chickens do not derive any sort of pleasure by being allowed to "explore".



Just one quick point because Mrs Neely is nagging for the laptop, I'll edit later and add more, actually the sales of free range eggs in this country is about 50/50 I believe, in terms of free range Vs cruel caged which is quite remarkable when all is considered. So, unless I am mistaken on this point, though I'm sure it is close to 50/50 at least, 70/30 at most (depends if they take barn into account?), I believe it is a big factor, at least in the UK, in making a difference on the system of production as the soon to be (about time) outlawed system shows.

Interesting numbers- I wasn't aware of that. What's your source, if you don't mind me asking? The numbers here aren't anywhere close to that.

[LitNetIsGreat]

My pleasure! I love when animal conversations come up around here! I study animal biology in university, and my program heavily focuses on farm animal species. Great I bet that is really interesting, I’m greatly interested in all aspects of farming and all such related matter.


I only want to ensure here that you mean true animal welfare people, NOT animal rightists. They are very, very different. Within that, when it comes to animal welfare, there is an enormous amount of science to be considered. Welfare is not about simply keeping the animal alive on principle, or about maximizing "natural" conditions.

True there is a difference between the animal welfare people and animal rightists. The comment I made previously probably related to animal rightists which is ironic as they preferred the caged system in some warped idea, sure.



Herein lies one of the largest misconceptions about animals- that "natural" is always better. How could a life where you have to compete for food, be exposed to the elements, fight with others, and undergo a painful mutilation automatically be better than any other life? That's not an animal welfare perspective because you're not looking out for what's actually best for the animal; it's a rights perspective where you claim that a certain type of life is just the way an animal should live.
Yes I realise that it is not a straight-forward issue and that there are problems with free range production and determining what is “natural” but I am glad that these are the problem issues that we are going to be facing in the UK when the caged system gets dumped. These for me are a better set of problems/issues than the whole caged system which is totally unacceptable.



Another problem with people and this industry is anthropomorphizing, where a human treats an animal as though it has the same capacity for experiencing things as a human. As far as the research goes (according to a first-hand account from one of the world's leading welfare scientists whose focus is poultry housing and behaviour), chickens are not capable of feeling boredom the way people do. They feel frustration when they cannot exhibit natural behaviours, but these behaviours can be allowed by the right type of caging system. Chickens do not derive any sort of pleasure by being allowed to "explore".
True but I’m not anthropomorphizing anything, I’m not saying look at that cute little chicken or anything, I am simply saying that the caged egg system in totally inhumane and should be stopped, which it is going to be, in the UK at least. However I would question the assumption that chickens don’t derive any sort of pleasure by being allowed to explore, or even move, or even turn around.

Interesting numbers- I wasn't aware of that. What's your source, if you don't mind me asking? The numbers here aren't anywhere close to that.
I’ve read this sort of number in several places and I recall Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall quoting such figures as well. The whole access and attitude towards free range eggs is totally different to the idea of free range meat in the UK. All supermarkets stock free range eggs, some only stock free range, even my very small local convenience shop (beer-off) only stocks free range or barn. What’s more a number of restaurants, bars, pubs, cafes even are making the point of only selling/working with free range – it’s a selling point. The whole issue of free range has just become part of the way we eat egg and egg products in the UK, I mean even look at the poll above, if only the same could be said of meat production, but perhaps that is on the distant horizon?

[Paulclem]

When meat can be grown in vats - then the welfare problem will go away. There will be purists who want meat with veins and blood riunning through it, and so i bet that's what'll be developed. If they can grow an ear, I don't see why a side of beef can't be grown.

It might be a way down the line yet and will be a matter of taste, but could help with land conservation and be cheaper. Who knows.

[*Classic*Charm*]

Great I bet that is really interesting, I’m greatly interested in all aspects of farming and all such related matter.

Yes, my plan is vet school, though graduate work in animal welfare science has become a serious consideration (a backup plan for now).


Yes I realise that it is not a straight-forward issue and that there are problems with free range production and determining what is “natural” but I am glad that these are the problem issues that we are going to be facing in the UK when the caged system gets dumped. These for me are a better set of problems/issues than the whole caged system which is totally unacceptable.

I'm agreeing with you that free-range living seems more natural, but my point is that natural is not always in the best interests of the animal. And to be clear- the UK is not abandoning caged systems altogether, but battery cages, a specific type of caging system.


True but I’m not anthropomorphizing anything, I’m not saying look at that cute little chicken or anything, I am simply saying that the caged egg system in totally inhumane and should be stopped, which it is going to be, in the UK at least. However I would question the assumption that chickens don’t derive any sort of pleasure by being allowed to explore, or even move, or even turn around.

You are though, if only mildly, by assuming that chickens do have the same capacity for wanting to learn and explore as people. It is by no means an assumption that chickens do not get "bored", it is a conclusion drawn from much study by people far superior to myself who work in this field. The majority of farm animal species have specific natural behaviours and when prohibited from exhibiting them, will cause frustration in the animal. Frustration and boredom are not the same thing, which means that it can be established what the animal needs to live what would be the best kind of life for it. It doesn't gain any extra "happiness" from being given more than what it needs. I just want to be clear here- I'm not defending the battery cage system, I'm just trying to provide a more thorough picture of what a chicken needs in order to avoid extreme views. I do believe that saying all chickens should be kept free range is an extreme view. Of course they need room to move and turn around. They need more than this, but what they need can be supplied by an indoor husbandry system.

Have a look- it's research, not a guessing game. http://www.uoguelph.ca/abw/iduncan/whatwedo.shtml


I’ve read this sort of number in several places and I recall Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall quoting such figures as well. The whole access and attitude towards free range eggs is totally different to the idea of free range meat in the UK. All supermarkets stock free range eggs, some only stock free range, even my very small local convenience shop (beer-off) only stocks free range or barn. What’s more a number of restaurants, bars, pubs, cafes even are making the point of only selling/working with free range – it’s a selling point. The whole issue of free range has just become part of the way we eat egg and egg products in the UK, I mean even look at the poll above, if only the same could be said of meat production, but perhaps that is on the distant horizon?

Interesting! As I mentioned somewhere between the two chicken threads, Europe is more advanced than Canada in its movements regarding farm animal husbandry. I suspect part of the reason it has not been adopted so thoroughly here is because of the larger and more densely-located population. Free range eggs are far more laborious from the producers' point of view in that you need to have people walking about finding and collecting the eggs, and that's not as possible when you need the large quantities of eggs as are needed in Canada. That and there's a lot more waste with free range eggs, due to crushing by the birds themselves and the people walking through.

[Paulclem]

When meat can be grown in vats - then the welfare problem will go away. There will be purists who want meat with veins and blood riunning through it, and so i bet that's what'll be developed. If they can grow an ear, I don't see why a side of beef can't be grown.

It might be a way down the line yet and will be a matter of taste, but could help with land conservation and be cheaper. Who knows.

I was thinking about this tonight, and what about growing parts of yourself as meat? Would that be cannibalism, and, apart from the requirements of additional nutrients through fruit and veg, etc - would it be nutritionallty sustaining?

I'm no scientist, as Classic is, I'm just wondering. Is it too off topic?

[*Classic*Charm*]

I was thinking about this tonight, and what about growing parts of yourself as meat? Would that be cannibalism, and, apart from the requirements of additional nutrients through fruit and veg, etc - would it be nutritionallty sustaining?

I'm no scientist, as Classic is, I'm just wondering. Is it too off topic?

I'm not a scientist yet, Paul, but thank you!

What you mention in your earlier post is in fact in the works. Attempts are being made to culture "meat" in a laboratory setting. At this point I don't believe it's being considered seriously as an alternative to meat, but more of a try-and-see. It would not be the same though; even if it were possible to grow the muscle as an exact replica of what it looks like on the animal, the conversion of muscle to meat begins with residual nervous contraction. That is, even though the animal is dead, nervous system pulses still occur, causing changes in the muscle as would happen when the animal contracted it when it was alive. Basically, as far as I understand it, you could make meat in the lab, but you couldn't make an animal muscle and convert it to meat as occurs naturally.

That being said, the ability of a meat to be nutritionally sustaining depends on what the animal itself consumed, so this wouldn't apply to a part of yourself you had grown (cultured in a lab). You would have to fortify your product...that's all pretty gross to think about haha

[Paulclem]

I'm not a scientist yet, Paul, but thank you!

What you mention in your earlier post is in fact in the works. Attempts are being made to culture "meat" in a laboratory setting. At this point I don't believe it's being considered seriously as an alternative to meat, but more of a try-and-see. It would not be the same though; even if it were possible to grow the muscle as an exact replica of what it looks like on the animal, the conversion of muscle to meat begins with residual nervous contraction. That is, even though the animal is dead, nervous system pulses still occur, causing changes in the muscle as would happen when the animal contracted it when it was alive. Basically, as far as I understand it, you could make meat in the lab, but you couldn't make an animal muscle and convert it to meat as occurs naturally.

That being said, the ability of a meat to be nutritionally sustaining depends on what the animal itself consumed, so this wouldn't apply to a part of yourself you had grown (cultured in a lab). You would have to fortify your product...that's all pretty gross to think about haha

I suppose lab grown might make better burger/ pie type meat where it is retextured.

As for the lab cannibalism - just a thought - bit of prime rump... It's not a million miles away from growing your own organs though. :D

[LitNetIsGreat]

I'm agreeing with you that free-range living seems more natural, but my point is that natural is not always in the best interests of the animal.

See I just can't buy that. I hear what you are saying with the science but I just cannot base my decisions and conscience on micro scientific experiments on chickens - I just don't work like that. I would rather see chickens living as naturally as possible, with natural food then to force chickens in cages based on hunches of experimental evidence.


You are though, if only mildly, by assuming that chickens do have the same capacity for wanting to learn and explore as people. It is by no means an assumption that chickens do not get "bored", it is a conclusion drawn from much study by people far superior to myself who work in this field. The majority of farm animal species have specific natural behaviours and when prohibited from exhibiting them, will cause frustration in the animal. Frustration and boredom are not the same thing, which means that it can be established what the animal needs to live what would be the best kind of life for it. It doesn't gain any extra "happiness" from being given more than what it needs. I just want to be clear here- I'm not defending the battery cage system, I'm just trying to provide a more thorough picture of what a chicken needs in order to avoid extreme views. I do believe that saying all chickens should be kept free range is an extreme view. Of course they need room to move and turn around. They need more than this, but what they need can be supplied by an indoor husbandry system.

I don't assume that chickens have the same capacity to learn and explore as humans do. I assume that literary theory is above standard, or even free range chickens, even if they read Barry :smilewinkgrin:. However, I cannot support an indoor, intensive system because this is not what any animal is supposed live under and I don't care what any scientist says on this. If I was to argue that dogs never need to see outdoors based on experiments conducted by certain scientists and that, if you merely gave them the kitchen to roam around in for the rest of their lives it would be OK, I suspect that others would disagree. By the same stretch, if I was to prove that cats could be kept in a cage for a year without excess suffering would this mean that people would do so? I don't think so.

Of course I am being a little playful, but the point is that I cannot buy that a natural, if controlled life, is not the best life. I would rather see a chicken live or die by natural causes than be forced into unacceptably cruel conditions in order to supply cheap eggs or meat to meet supermarket demand.

[LitNetIsGreat]

Yes I've read the two articles you posted Classic, thanks for including them.

http://www.fao.org/ag/AGAInfo/home/events/bangkok2007/docs/part2/2_5.pdf
http://www.ciwf.org.uk/includes/documents/cm_docs/2008/d/do_hens_suffer_in_battery_cages_1991.pdf

The top one incidentally also shows that the UK is relatively high up the scale in free range egg production. If you look at the table on page 8 it shows sales of free range and barn at 40%, however the data is from 2007 and I strongly suspect that the figures have increased a little since then, certainly the 50/50 mark I mentioned previously doesn't seem out of reach. Yes as you say the US is well behind this figure at around 5% of free range sales. Switzerland is best of all with no caged systems and sales around 60/40% free range/barn, although perhaps both this numbers have increased in the last three years a little too?

The other article certainly proves scientifically that the caged system is cruel, though I would have guessed that without reading it, it's common sense at the end of the day, but it is good to have some data on it regardless. For example in the conclusion it states that "hens suffer in battery cages. Many aspects of suffering are chronic, and affect all individuals." This like I said is common sense as they can hardly turn around.

One thing I picked up on though, which I didn't know, is that producers control egg production by regular bouts of controlled starvation. This causes the birds to moult and to produce fewer eggs. Then when they are fed again the yield and size increases. Hmm, I'm not sure that I support controlled starvations - Jesus what century are we living in?

Another interesting point highlighted the fact that these birds kept in the caged system have 41% less bone strength (probably because they can hardly move) and regularly suffer from breakages, often self-inflicted through agitation and frustration. Honestly people if you are buying these eggs then you are indirectly causing this.

In the other thread you said that the caged system was not being dropped in the UK, merely adapted, if possible could you give me some more information on this please? I’ll have a dig around in the meantime. I believed that the caged system was being abandoned altogether, following the fine example set by the world leader, Switzerland.

Also, if you have any other good links feel free to post them up. I don't usually bother which much science stuff, but it is very informative.

Thank You.

Edit:
UK Egg Facts 2009:
http://www.egginfo.co.uk/page/eggfacts

[*Classic*Charm*]

See I just can't buy that. I hear what you are saying with the science but I just cannot base my decisions and conscience on micro scientific experiments on chickens - I just don't work like that. I would rather see chickens living as naturally as possible, with natural food then to force chickens in cages based on hunches of experimental evidence.

This is what I don't understand, though. You're essentially saying that you'll allow the animal to suffer in the name of living a "natural" life. Here's an example for you-

The gorillas in the Toronto zoo have an enclosure that is decorated to look like their natural habitat. They've got green plants and bushes and whatnot to look like a jungle, yet they seem restless, bored, and exhibit stereotypic behaviours, patterns of behaviour which are unnatural, repetitive, and indicative that the animal is lacking something essential and compensating with this behaviour. On the other hand, the orangutans have an enclosure which looks like an industrial park- it's cement, has very little in the way of plants, and it is full of things like cardboard boxes, a metal climbing jungle gym, stuff like that. These animals are active, happy, and exhibit no stereotypic behaviours. While the gorillas live in the more natural setting, the orangutans are the ones that are living more stimulated, good lives. Would you take that away from them in the name of having them live in a more "natural" setting?

To be quite honest with you, it bothers me that people are quick so quick to dismiss experimental evidence with regards to animal behaviour and welfare. It's this science that has allowed humans to better understand how animals experience their surroundings, which has helped us determine how and when they feel stress, pain, or frustration. It's rather insulting to diminish this work into people acting on "haunches of experimental evidence". In fact, it is the developments in this field that have revealed the actual problems that are wrong with the battery cage system. An animal doesn't suffer from lack of space so much as it suffers from the problems incurred by lack of space- frustration at not being able to dust bathe or access a nest box, pain from being feather pecked by other birds or breaking an underdeveloped limb.

Most people see the superficial nature of the cage and claim that it is wrong. They might be right in that claim, but their reasons for making it are not the right ones.


I don't assume that chickens have the same capacity to learn and explore as humans do. I assume that literary theory is above standard, or even free range chickens, even if they read Barry :smilewinkgrin:. However, I cannot support an indoor, intensive system because this is not what any animal is supposed live under and I don't care what any scientist says on this. If I was to argue that dogs never need to see outdoors based on experiments conducted by certain scientists and that, if you merely gave them the kitchen to roam around in for the rest of their lives it would be OK, I suspect that others would disagree. By the same stretch, if I was to prove that cats could be kept in a cage for a year without excess suffering would this mean that people would do so? I don't think so.

"Suppose to live under"? How can one make a claim about what anyone or anything is "supposed" to do? I'd suggest to you that back in the cavemen days, the predecessors pf the chicken still chose to seek shelter and live inside when the conditions told them to. Saying you don't care what any scientist says about this is just choosing to be ignorant, and I promise I mean absolutely no disrespect in saying that. The reason people would disagree about your claim about dogs is because we know better. We know what dogs need to live a good life. When it comes to chickens, most people don't know. They assume, which is not always correct. The whole point of research is to make conclusions about things we suspect or even assume. Disregarding potential conclusions in the name of supporting an assumption seems like a step backwards to me.


Of course I am being a little playful, but the point is that I cannot buy that a natural, if controlled life, is not the best life. I would rather see a chicken live or die by natural causes than be forced into unacceptably cruel conditions in order to supply cheap eggs or meat to meet supermarket demand.

I understand that, but the point of research is to give you a reason to "buy" it. There was a time when people didn't believe that dogs were capable of feeling pain. Even when there was scientific evidence to prove what seemed obvious to most, Renee Descartes was still performing open-body surgery on completely conscious dogs. He didn't "buy" the theory, either.

Again, I don't support the battery cage system. I do however acknowledge that there are some features of a cage or pen system that are in the best interests of the chickens, regardless of how cheap their eggs are.

[*Classic*Charm*]

I suppose lab grown might make better burger/ pie type meat where it is retextured.

As for the lab cannibalism - just a thought - bit of prime rump... It's not a million miles away from growing your own organs though. :D

Hahahaha ewwwww

[*Classic*Charm*]

Yes I've read the two articles you posted Classic, thanks for including them.

http://www.fao.org/ag/AGAInfo/home/events/bangkok2007/docs/part2/2_5.pdf
http://www.ciwf.org.uk/includes/documents/cm_docs/2008/d/do_hens_suffer_in_battery_cages_1991.pdf

The top one incidentally also shows that the UK is relatively high up the scale in free range egg production. If you look at the table on page 8 it shows sales of free range and barn at 40%, however the data is from 2007 and I strongly suspect that the figures have increased a little since then, certainly the 50/50 mark I mentioned previously doesn't seem out of reach. Yes as you say the US is well behind this figure at around 5% of free range sales. Switzerland is best of all with no caged systems and sales around 60/40% free range/barn, although perhaps both this numbers have increased in the last three years a little too?

My pleasure. Haha yes, times they are a-changin'.


The other article certainly proves scientifically that the caged system is cruel, though I would have guessed that without reading it, it's common sense at the end of the day, but it is good to have some data on it regardless. For example in the conclusion it states that "hens suffer in battery cages. Many aspects of suffering are chronic, and affect all individuals." This like I said is common sense as they can hardly turn around.

See, I feel like you're still missing my point though. It seems like common sense that cages care cruel, but the reasons which lead you to that conclusion are not the real reasons. Not being able to turn around does not induce suffering, but is the cause of other issued which do. We need to understand what causes suffering and what prevents it, and use this knowledge to create the best possible housing system.


One thing I picked up on though, which I didn't know, is that producers control egg production by regular bouts of controlled starvation. This causes the birds to moult and to produce fewer eggs. Then when they are fed again the yield and size increases. Hmm, I'm not sure that I support controlled starvations - Jesus what century are we living in?

Controlled starvation has been a means used on various production species for various reasons. It's been used in chicks where they are not fed for the first few days post-hatch as it leads to increased feed intake as they grow. It has been used in beef cattle and swine in the past for various reasons. As to whether or not it's still used, I'm not 100% sure. I don't think it is with cattle and swine, but I have no idea as to poultry. I haven't read any recent research on the subject.


Another interesting point highlighted the fact that these birds kept in the caged system have 41% less bone strength (probably because they can hardly move) and regularly suffer from breakages, often self-inflicted through agitation and frustration. Honestly people if you are buying these eggs then you are indirectly causing this.

In the other thread you said that the caged system was not being dropped in the UK, merely adapted, if possible could you give me some more information on this please? I’ll have a dig around in the meantime. I believed that the caged system was being abandoned altogether, following the fine example set by the world leader, Switzerland.

Also, if you have any other good links feel free to post them up. I don't usually bother which much science stuff, but it is very informative.

Thank You.

Edit:
UK Egg Facts 2009:
http://www.egginfo.co.uk/page/eggfacts

Ooh, the transition was discussed in a class I was taking, but I don't know if I have any literature or notes on the subject. I'll poke around and see what I can find for you.

[Shalot]

I don't know if anyone has talked about what I'm about to say and quite frankly I'm too lazy to read anymore of the posts but I have started buying free range eggs because the animals are treated more humanely. I don't give a crap about the taste - it all tastes the same I guess - I wouldn't even know. The belief behind this is that all food has an energy imprint and when you eat the food, you take on that energy, which includes the negative energy from animals who are caged in and treated like crap for the purpose of feeding humans. So, if the poor little chickens can run around and not be stuck in a cage then I guess that's better for the chickens. And please, feel free to make fun of me. I don't care. That's why I buy free range eggs. And if I'm being ripped off then what goes around comes around. And that's just more bad energy. and bad energy is bad. and no, this is not a drunk post at all. at all. :->

[LitNetIsGreat]

I don't know if anyone has talked about what I'm about to say and quite frankly I'm too lazy to read anymore of the posts but I have started buying free range eggs because the animals are treated more humanely. I don't give a crap about the taste - it all tastes the same I guess - I wouldn't even know. The belief behind this is that all food has an energy imprint and when you eat the food, you take on that energy, which includes the negative energy from animals who are caged in and treated like crap for the purpose of feeding humans. So, if the poor little chickens can run around and not be stuck in a cage then I guess that's better for the chickens. And please, feel free to make fun of me. I don't care. That's why I buy free range eggs. And if I'm being ripped off then what goes around comes around. And that's just more bad energy. and bad energy is bad. and no, this is not a drunk post at all. at all. :->

No one is going to make fun of you, you make an excellent point actually. There are millions of Buddhists and others that would totally agree with your reasoning as well. Regardless of the reasoning anyway you are making a difference by supporting free range egg industry which I believe is the right thing to do. You are not being ripped off. Caged birds are treated like crap you are correct and you are objecting to this by buying free range. You are also getting a better quality egg for your money into the bargain. (There is nothing wrong with drunk posts anyway, most of my inspiration comes from my night postings after having drank the odd half a glass (or so) of ale.) Thanks for contributing to the thread and feel free to read back over it at your leisure. There is also another chicken thread below somewhere you might be interested in.


See, I feel like you're still missing my point though. It seems like common sense that cages care cruel, but the reasons which lead you to that conclusion are not the real reasons. Not being able to turn around does not induce suffering, but is the cause of other issued which do. We need to understand what causes suffering and what prevents it, and use this knowledge to create the best possible housing system.

I'm not missing the point. I read every word of your links and have read plenty of other stuff besides - I do get quite obsessive with the things that interest me. I understand your points regarding the science and the dangers of anthropomorphizing. I know that the suffering in the caged system is because of the limiting factors of the five areas which is understood to provide chickens with a normal healthy life. That it is not necessarily the cage itself, but the restricting effects of the cage which limits natural actions or restricts normal behaviours. If I have knocked the science it is because I try to be governed by common sense. I wouldn't need scientific evidence to show that it is wrong to operate on a live dog. However, you are correct. Proper scientific evidence is extremely useful to support and inform your arguments and understanding of the wider issues. I'm almost embarrassed to say that during one of our arguments Mrs Neely asked me if chickens even have a brain. She was being serious. I suspect she is not alone in such outrageous ignorance. So I do not reject scientific inquiry to inform and shape understanding at all and I am not missing the point, but I still think that there is something to be said for common (or uncommon) sense.

I also value the science because it clearly shows a large degree of valid evidence which proves that chickens suffer greatly by the caged egg production. So, with this in mind, can you tell me why it is that it is still the most widely used method across the world. How can it be justified?


Ooh, the transition was discussed in a class I was taking, but I don't know if I have any literature or notes on the subject. I'll poke around and see what I can find for you.

Thanks a lot, don't go to too much trouble on my behalf. I had a quick dig around last night but soon got distracted by other things. I was trying to find information on the transition but then ended up on the Compassion for World Farming website where I nearly bought a T-shirt.