Do you purchase Free Range Eggs?

Why do you buy them? Is it because they;

• taste better?
• are more nutritious?
• have a better 'energy'?
• the chickens are more humanely housed?

All the above are reasons that many people shell out the additional sheckles for Free Range eggs but the sad truth is that there is little protection for consumers. This article will look at the 'definitions' of Free Range Eggs, focussing on the housing requirements within the standards, and considers the question "Can bought eggs ever be considered Free Range?"

What ARE Free Range Eggs?

The term 'Free Range Eggs' is a difficult term to define as it means so many different things to so many different individuals. The standard marketing spiel for Free Range is perhaps the most utopian definition offered. Here we are assailed sunny pictures of small flocks of birds picking their way merrily overlush green pastures, perhaps with a dainty white wooden chicken house in the background. It is the perfect image of the quiet country farm.

For me, the term Free Range Eggs refers to eggs produced by birds who have unlimited access to outdoor areas where they can carry on like chickens do. I imagine a large run with lots of area for the birds to scratch, dust bathe, form friendships & alliances (as chickens are won't to do!), and generally have a good time of it. They have access to fresh air, sunlight, shade, as well as adequate food and water as necessary.

However, as with many things, commercial reality has little to do with our utopian visions.

The RSPCA sees 'Free Range' as

the hens are not kept in battery cages, have litter in which to dust bathe, space to flap wings, stretch and socialise, nests in which to lay their eggs, and adequate perch space. RSPCA-accredited barn-housed hens are kept at a maximum stocking density of 7 birds/m².

 

The Australian Egg Corporation defines 'Free Range' as

Birds in free-range systems are housed in shed and have access to an outdoor range. Maximum stocking density of 14 birds/m².

 

As you can see, the definitions from the different authorities vary in both requirements, and how they express them. So which definition can we rely on?

Comparing Definitions of Free Range Eggs

The major problem with the term 'Free Range' is that there is no national standard defining what free range actually means. For some growers Free Range fits my definition; for others it is merely a marketing tool to get one up on their competitors. So which one should we place our faith?

Unfortunately there is no easy method to compare these various defintions. The question of how best to house/feed chickens is akin to "How long is a piece of string?" The truth is that it varies according to the climate in which they are kept, the breed of bird, etc... However one tool that we can use to separate these definitions is the amount of space each bird is allowed. Under my definition there is no definied maximum stocking density (maximum stocking densities rarely enter the mind of the amateur keeper), the RSPCA allows 7 birds per metre squared, the the Australian Egg Corporation allows 14 birds per metre squared. OK... what does that mean?

In order to demonstrate the 'stocking density' principle I have called upon the assistance of my own flock. Below is a video of my lovely birds in a temporary pen measuring 1m x 1m (1m²)which can give you an idea of what these stocking densities mean...

As you can see from the video, the commercial reality of Free Range has little do to with the marketing images the growers put on their egg cartons. Even following the RSPCA's standard (the RSPCA is widely considered to be authoritative on issues of animal cruelty) the individual birds do have a little room in which to move, stretch, and flap their wings; and of course they can socialise... after all, they can't get away from their fellows.

Which brings up a very important point... Chickens establish a pecking order and do so by fighting. If the birds can't escape from 'bullies' then serious injuries can occur, including death. Of course the chicken farmer takes this into account to... both the above standards allow some level of beak trimming to prevent the worst of this sort of anti-social behaviour. Beak trimming is generally done on young birds without any sort of pain relief.

So What Can You Do?

Given that we can't really believe the marketing blurbs, nor rely on our elected officials for guidance, then what can we do? What can I as an individual do to make a truly ethical choice?

Well the best option is to raise your own eggs! It is generally accepted that a good laying chicken breed will lay between 180-240 eggs per year, and will eat approximately 40kgs of purchased feed over this time (less if truly free ranged). This equates to a feed cost of approx. $0.25 per egg, or $3.00 a carton. Even adding in veterinary costs, housing, purchase of chicks, etc one would be well ahead compared to the commercial price of purchasing the eggs.

If you follow this path then 3 chickens tend to meet most of the needs of the average family... expect a couple of eggs each day!

Of course, not all of us are in a position to raise our own eggs. In this case the next best option is to find a local Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) initiative. These are initiatives where small growers are encouraged to grow truly free range and organic produce as the community has already agreed to purchase what the grower can produce. These schemes rarely cost much more than the supermarket alternative, but you can be sure that your money is actually supporting humane and sustainable agricultural practices, as well as supporting your local community.

Finally, if no other alternative is available, then purchase your free range eggs but please do your research. Go with the standards which go some way to ensuring that your reasons for paying that bit extra are actually upheld by the grower. Choice is a good place to start your research.

After all, is it right for each of us to benefit from the suffering of these wonderful creatures?