EGGS: "CAGE FREE" VS CONVENTIONAL
For those of you that have ever tried a farm fresh egg straight from the source, you won't have to read this in order to be convinced why to eat them because the flavor alone in incomparable. The rest of you will have to try them to believe it. For now, here's a more in depth reason why you as a consumer should always purchase "cage-free"or "free-range" eggs.
Most of the eggs you purchase in the grocery store today are produced from chickens that are unsafe and unhealthy. What do I mean by that? Well, generally speaking unless your carton is labeled with one of the two above or “certified organic” you can assure that your eggs were produced in CAFO’S. Also known as Confined Animal Feeding Operations. Meaning that Hens are kept indoors and caged (hence “cage free”) for majority of their short-lived life. In order for higher egg yields, the guys are usually crammed as tight as possible, allowing for little to no room to move about. All together this poses concern for nutritional deficiencies, animal welfare, and environmental impacts.
Confined into cages the animals show more signs of stress and aggressive behavior towards each other. This causes both muscle and skeletal problems, and filth becoming a breeding ground for infections and disease. As a result conventional hens are pumped with antibiotics whether their healthy or not to ensure successful production. Treatment that goes on in these types of facilities to the animals is beyond your worst nightmare and a topic I will save you from for another time. (However, if you'd like to know more about the animal welfare check out peta.org )
When comparing a conventional egg to an Organic cage free egg, it is amazing how the difference of color in the yolks display. As shown below here, the right egg is “Conventional” and the left is “Farm- Raised”. Notice a difference? The Farm Raised egg on the left is a bright yellow almost orange, compared to the right. This is a result due to the difference in diets these hens receive. Free-Range eggs are exceptionally more nutritious for us than conventional. Having roughly 1/3 less cholesterol, ¼ less saturated fat, 2 times more omega-3 fats, and 7 times more beta carotene. The color of yolk also reflects the diets these hens receive. In their natural habitat Hens usually feed on worms, grubs, or even compost from organic farms. Conventional Hens heavily rely on Soy and Corn, which majority grown for this purpose in the U.S., are produced using GMO’s or other toxic chemical pesticides and herbicides. Thus reinforces the statement ‘you are what you eat.” If the Hen that laid the eggs you are eating was fed this type of feed, the same chemicals are being transferred right to you.
As for the environment when large numbers of any kind of animals are detained in a small area they pollute the air, water and soil due to the large amounts of waste (poop) that they produce. Manure is often put in a designated area, where it decomposes and releases harmful chemicals into the atmosphere. Which contribute to a significant amount of greenhouse gases into our air. Manure that’s left here can also seep into the ground, running into underground water sources and polluting these fresh water sources we rely on for drinking purposes.
Who knew a little egg could have some much impact. So next time before you crack open into the most important meal of the day, make sure you look for the right label. Or keep it simple and source directly from a local farmer or friend who is raising their own hens.