Unfortunately, if the thought of “cage-free” elicits pastoral visions of hens happily wandering in great, open, green spaces, pecking away at bugs and doing natural hen things, you might be disappointed. Despite what clever marketing images will convey, most cage-free hens, though not in battery cages, will still live their lives entirely indoors, in crowded open spaces. They may still undergo physical alterations as well, such as beak trimming or burning.
If you’re seeking out eggs that go a step further than cage-free, “free-range”, “free-roaming”, and “pasture-raised” all imply outdoor access, giving the hens even greater opportunity to engage in natural hen behaviors. Unfortunately, even these labels don’t ensure that physical alterations, like beak trimming, are not occurring. The only way to be totally certain of the living conditions of the hens from which your eggs are coming from is to get to know a producer, or visit the farm for yourself!
Perhaps the biggest takeaway from the corporate shift to cage-free eggs is that it is entirely market-driven. Corporations are shifting to cage-free eggs, not because it’s cheaper or because the government forced them to do so, but because consumers demanded it, and the fact that our preferences really can spark change is a reassuring thought.
What do you think? Are you pleased with the shift to cage-free eggs? Do living conditions for hens matter to you when deciding what eggs to buy? Let us know!
