NPR published an article recently that gave an overview of a pretty interesting study that has been done over the course of two years at a farm in the Midwest. The study followed chickens {and their eggs} that had been raised in 3 different environments: caged, enriched colony systems, and free range. The results were actually surprising.
First, a caged environment is what we have all seen on Oprah specials. It’s been the standard for raising chickens and egg production for the past several decades. As people are becoming aware of the conditions, however, demand for cage-free eggs/chickens has increased. Cage free means just that–the chickens are not in cages. But, as we already know doesn’t necessarily guarantee chickens a life of green pastures {or outdoor time at all, for that matter}. It simply means that they are free to roam about the cabin–and the cabin might be a stuffed full warehouse of chicken poo and birds standing shoulder to shoulder. Enriched colony systems are larger cages, where multiple birds share real estate, and a small darkened area is provided for nesting.
So, in a nutshell, er, eggshell, the study found that while the birds with free-range rights had stronger bones, they were more susceptible to injury and disease. Cage free chickens died at a rate of about 10 percent, while their caged counter parts died at a rate of 4 percent {causes ranged from disease to being hen pecked by other, more aggressive hens}. Cage free costs about 23% more than raising caged birds. While the cage free area had more dust, it didn’t seem to have any negative effects on the birds’ health.
All in all, the jury is still out…people want free range eggs/birds, but farmers are still trying to figure out a way to make it cost effective. The colony cages seem to be a slightly unhappy medium for some. So for now, everyone seems to have settled on labeling the crap out of the cartons {free range, vegetarian fed, etc.}, and hoping one of the labels catches consumer’s eyes.
I’m still a little skeptical that there is a ton of difference in any of the mass produced eggs/chickens–whether they are given “free range” or not. It seems to me to be a classic over-population situation. So many birds in one space is bound to lead to troubles, caged or not. The thing is, I am not really sure that I have an answer for it…life is expensive, and I don’t judge people one bit for wanting a cheap source of protein. It would be nice if we could all have our own backyard flocks, but that’s not realistic at all either.
So, what do you think? How should we proceed with our egg/chicken production standards?
~Mavis
Liz says
I’m not sure what the solution is for mass produced eggs, but more and more I’m thinking the solution for myself/my family is a backyard flock and/or purchasing from local small flocks. It seems like the only way to be sure that the chickens are being raised humanely. Really I think a national shift to buying from local farms would do a huge amount of good all around.
Sandi Fleury says
Amen, Liz! I agree. Buying from reputable, local growers, if not able to have a flock yourself, is a great solution! Also for produce and whatever else we can purchase from small, local business owners.
Mavis says
I so agree about a national shift. Now if only we could get the country onboard…
Addie says
I raise chickens. Currently, I have 28 of them. I have raised chickens for 10 years. They enjoy running around, scratching, dust bathing. They have their own personalities. I am the type to view what they want to do and give them the opportunity. I feed them non-soy non corn non gmo organic feed. They can also run around eating greens and bugs. They give me from 20-27 eggs daily during lay season. The eggs are delicious. I can’t even eat old grocery store eggs any more. Bottom line for me, you are what you eat so if you are eating animal products, give animals a happy life that suits their needs and feed them high quality food. It’s not about quantity of eggs, but rather quality of eggs through the quality of the chicken’s life.
Mavis says
I love the quality vs. quantity aspect! So true.
Veronica says
Easy answer?
Don’t eat eggs.
😉
judy says
I’m even learning to bake without eggs.
Lisa says
I’m with you! There are plenty of cheap protein sources like lentils, beans, whole grains, etc.
Mrs. Mac says
There is a big difference in the quality of small flock eggs that have good feed and access to fresh greens/bugs. Living in a semi rural area we have access to good quality eggs and they are always our first choice. Eggs should be produced on small farms dotting the outlying areas of cities and not from some large facility. Food is our medicine and should be treated as such. Eat good food for better health and save on healthcare costs.
Jeanette says
Hi Mavis, I thought of you when I was looking at an episode on THISOLDHOUSE.com earlier today titled ‘The Sustainable Garden” about a garden in Seattle, WA. The owner had some chickens and they had a chicken house with a portable pen with no bottom that she moved to different areas of the garden – the chickens did not run free neither were they caged in their chicken house all the time. Check it out if it interests you.
Jeanette
Mavis says
I’ll look it up. Sounds fascinating!
Catherine Foster says
Funny you mention the egg business today. I read this in a November Harper’s magazine. Meaty stuff (pardon the pun) to think about. Me, I’m going to go more vegan and eat eggs I get from some folks with chickens down the street. They leave the eggs in a fridge in a barn with a little money jar. I’m also going to see if I can find the story I just read on mayo made without eggs that’s doing pretty well. If I find it, I’ll post that, too. Thanks for bring it up, Mavis.
http://harpers.org/archive/2014/11/cage-wars/
Catherine Foster says
It’s called Just Mayo and its sold in places like Whole Foods. Or, there are lots of recipes for making your own without eggs.
Leisa Cox says
Hi Mavis,
In Australia, the trend is starting to become, to just have your own chooks. I believe, that unit blocks (Body Corporates, in Australia), could set up a chook run together to provide for the building. All could contribute, with scraps, feed, etc, in exchange for fresh eggs. But, for mass production you could look to Joel Salatin and family, over in Virginia who are raising chickens for egg and meat production in Pastured Tractors.
http://www.polyfacefarms.com/2011/07/25/pastured-broilers/
Leisa, Central Coast, NSW, Australia.
Pam says
I have 14 hens at the moment. Their coop is 12′ x 20′. Their attached pen is 20′ x 70′. It’s partitioned off into sections that are seeded with lettuce, kale and swiss chard during the growing season. That way we can open up sections for them to enjoy every couple of weeks. I did let them free range for a while but when we started planting, had no choice but to pen them (even if their pen is almost the same size as my house). The coop itself has 15 ft. of perches and 7 laying boxes. It’s a system that’s worked well for us.
Claire says
I too am torn. Hope to one day have chickens of my own but one thing to remember is the vast majority of people do not have this option. Our country is hurting for inexpensive and healthy food options and taking eggs off the table for people in the lower income brackets is a travesty, in my opinion. This has happened in Ca where their requirements for chicken production has increased the price of eggs astronomically (I don’t remember the #s off the top of my head). I don’t think there is a simple answer but just hate that. We should keep providing all options so people can choose for themselves and hopefully one day the free range thing will get figured out on a commercial level.
Kathy says
Mavis- check out the website for Vital Farms in Austin – vitalfarrms.com . Lots of good info on the topic. I had no idea about eggs, cage free, pasture raised, etc., until some family members helped launch their flagship farm. You could never get me to eat anything but free range, organic eggs again, after what I have discovered over the past few years. They also have awesomely great t-shirts celebrating “their ladies” (hens)!!!
Edamommy says
I wanted to add two points:
1) Pastured eggs have been shown to have lower cholesterol and saturated fat with more vitamins and good omega 3 fats (from eating greens/bugs) – so there’s a nutritional benefit as well as a humane one
2) I use this guide to help me figure out which farms/producers I feel comfortable supporting:
http://www.cornucopia.org/organic-egg-scorecard/
Tanya says
I love having a small flock (down to just 1 until we get a batch of chicks later this month). We were gifted 3 pullets as a wedding present and it has been a fun adventure. We still have to supplement with purchased eggs at time, but we’ve found a CSA that has a roadside stand that sells extras to be a good alternative. While I don’t get attached to the chickens the same as our indoor pets, it does feel nice to know that they have a good, well-cared for life, and in return they provide us with delicious eggs!