Did you know that 95 percent of eggs in the United States come from hens stuffed in cages so tiny the birds can’t even spread their wings? Not only is it inhumane, it poses a health risk for all of us. These type of factory-farm conditions cause an increased risk of salmonella contamination. According to Rodale, it’s because caged operations containing millions of birds create more fecal dust, are associated with more disease-carrying rodents and insects, involve many cages that are difficult to disinfect, and lead to low natural immunity in stressed-out hens. No one wants to imagine that, but choosing the right eggs can be tricky with claims like, “Cage-free”, “all natural”, “humane”- You’re not alone if you’re confused!
Here’s a breakdown of all what everything means, so you can decide what’s best for you and your family!
Cage-Free. This means the chickens are not kept in cages, but are generally kept in an enclosed building. They are able to spread their wings and lay eggs in nest boxes, and being uncaged means less instances of salmonella infection. However, it does not mean antibiotics were not used on the hens.
Free-Range or Free-Roaming. In most cases, this means the chickens are allowed outside of cages in warehouses, but they are not actually required to give the animals any specific amount of time outdoors, or sunlight indoors. And according to the Humane Society of the United States, there are no-third party inspections, and the chickens can be debeaked and starved.
Natural. This just means that the egg is natural, not necessarily the hen laying process. The eggs may not have undergone any unnatural processes, but the hens could have been pumped with antibiotics or other unnatural substances, and certainly could have been raised in inhumane conditions. According to Rodale, natural means nothing.
Organic. If you see the USDA-certified organic label it means the eggs came from hens that were not confined to cages, and must be offered access to the outdoors. The hens must be fed certified-organic feed, free of antibiotics, pesticides and other animal products. Annual inspections are required, but forced molting and debeaking are also permitted.
Pastured. Studies have shown hens raised on pasture have twice the amount of vitamin E and more than 2.5 times more omega-3 fatty acid levels. Unfortunately, there isn’t a third-party inspection to make sure they are really doing what they say they are. They should be housed on grassland in portable shelters, periodically getting fresh pasture. The best bet would pastured and organic.
United Egg Producers Certified. Forced molting is prohibited, but everything else is allowed, included battery cages.
Omega-3 Enriched. These hens were fed extra omega-3-feed, but it doesn’t say anything about their living conditions or other unnatural processes.
Animal Welfare Approved. This is the highest animal welfare standards of any auditing program, according to the Human Society of the United States. The birds are raised cage-free, allowed outdoor access, and must be able to live completely naturally. Beak cutting is also prohibited.
Certified Humane. This is also a good option, as these birds are cage-free (though most likely indoors), and the farms are limited to the number of birds allowed in the same area. They aren’t required to give the animals organic feed, but they are not given antibiotics.
