Free Range eggs or eggs from Caged?

[Rishi79]

Buying Free range Eggs for so long and sometimes organic when they are on offer. Today, while browsing, someone mentioned, there was a documentary about how these hens are kept and voted against an offer for free range eggs!!?? Mum's instinct... with egg being one of the most consumed at home, raised an alert in mind. Thought would be a better idea to find out what other mums think about these ranges!? Anyone voting against Free range?

[givemeaboost]

eh?

[Rishi79]

I don't doubt their quality and not prepared to change my view just because one person is against it as I haven't seen that particular documentary But at the same time, couldn't just ignore it and would like to make sure that I am getting right food for children (well, atleast a few )

[Freyaee]

Free range and RSPCA Freedom Food approved all the way - they are not much more expensive than caged / barn eggs and the chickens have a far better standard of living. It is true that some labelling can be misleading, but if you see the RSPCA symbol then the farms have been checked and approved. Alternatively, if you happen to know anyone locally that keeps hens you could buy eggs from them as then you'll be able to see whether the chickens are well cared for and have enough space to roam throughout the day! :)

[Rummikub]

Organic eggs because I thought they are more nutrient rich, then free range. I probably wouldn't buy caged. Doesn't seem right.

[WilsonFrickett]

I think the image we have of 'free range' hens is very far from the truth. Even though they are free range, they are laying birds which are kept on an industrial scale. It's not a particularly pretty industry.

That said, if you are going to buy eggs (which i do) then buy the highest welfare you can find/afford. Organic eggs aren't kept in any better conditions, they are fed organic food though (and common sense would say that they're less likely to have inputs like antibiotics because they are fed an organic diet).

I would go without eggs before I bought caged eggs. I get a fortnightly organic box which includes eggs, and if I have to top up between orders I go for freedom certified eggs.

[MadeOfStarDust]

free range chickens are generally kept in the same old barns that battery hens used to be kept in (rather than go out of business) - they just have an outdoor run attached - which most hens do not actually use.

Most free range hens are kept on massive farms, still have their beaks trimmed with hot wires, and male chicks are gassed. Free range hens have a maximum stocking level of 9 hens per square metre - does not leave much space..... though they did used to be 11 per sqm, so I guess things are getting better.

They are still pumped full of GM grains and animal derived feed with colourants to provide a "lovely yolk colour" - you need to buy organic to get around that side of things..

People seem to have the view that free range means small-holding produced - scraping around in a lush green field all day - it does not - unless you buy from that source personally. Supermarket eggs are mass produced.