re · new FEATURE
1
2
3
CAGE FREE
FREE RANGE
PASTURE RAISED
This term might bring to mind an
image of chickens that are able
to move about and spread their
wings. However, "cage free" is
anything but. In these factory
farming operations there are
often 100,000 chickens per hen
house. These hens are stored in
cramped and unsanitary
conditions in an effort to
maximize profits. Generally,
each hen is allotted living space
the size equivalent to an iPad.
These stressful conditions often
cause the chickens to peck at
each other. All of these factors
affect the quality of the egg.
At first thought "free range"
might seem like a better option
than cage free. After all, aren't
these chickens roaming free?
Free range hens are still
overcrowded into houses and
exposed to the same stressful
conditions as cage free hens.
The only difference: they have a
small door to allow access to an
outdoor area. This doesn't mean
a pasture, but often times just a
small dirt outdoor pen. Many of
these chickens may never be
able to venture out of this small
door into the outdoor pen in
their short lifetime.
This is the way nature intended
chickens to be raised. These
chickens are allowed complete
access to the outdoors where
they are free to peck the ground
and eat a natural diet. They have
access to a coop for protection at
night and during inclement
weather, but they do not live their
entire life here like their free
range counterparts. The nutrition
of their eggs is so much greater.
These eggs also boast a much
healthier ratio of good to bad
Omega 3 and 6 fats. The proof is
in the yolks! Check out the photo
showing the difference below.
It's a pretty clear choice once you can see beyond the label.
Which chickens do you want to get your eggs from?
1
2
EERF EGAC
DESIAR ERUTSAP
3
re·new MAGAZINE
|
10