Free-Range
Positive outcomes
Battery & Colony Cage:
Positive outcomes
Negative Outcomes
Barn Laid:
Positive Outcomes
Negative Outcomes
*Not all free-range producers are free from the use of antibiotics. Check brand specifications under the Animal Welfare Label unless provided on carton.
** No evidence to prove this, and it would seem there is difference in comfort of hens when you look at video footage comparing the methods...
Note that even though this is an American video, the same facts apply in Australia when it comes to cage versus cage-free.
Positive outcomes
- Birds are free to exhibit natural behaviours, such as dust bathing, social interaction, creating a pecking order, and exploration of their environment.
- Due to no antibiotics* in diet of hens and exposure to natural environment, the immunity of the hens is stimulated daily, and are likely to live longer, healthier and happier lives in the open!
- Burn energy from running around, so get a brake from the exhausting task of laying eggs!
- Generally have the option of going outside, or staying in shelter.
- Can eat worms!
- Erratic weather changes can lead to wiping out large numbers of birds. e.g. during a heat wave, birds are not so clever as to seek the nearby shade of a tree, and are likely to die if in hot sun for too long.
- Diet not 100% controlled.
Battery & Colony Cage:
Positive outcomes
- Price production is lower, so eggs on shelf are cheaper.
- Birds use less energy, therefore they lay more eggs.
- Protection against inclement weather, predators and disease.
- Temperature control, and easy to clean cages and collect waste.
- Not all Australian consumers have concerns with cage eggs, as they still dominate 70% of the market!
- Apparently no difference in the stress levels of hens between cage, barn and free range farming... **
- Access to clean food and water at all times, with a controlled diet.
- Less prone to bullying by other hens, such as intimidation by pecking.
Negative Outcomes
- Less room for the hen to move & exhibit all natural behaviours, such as dust bathing, social interaction, and exploration. Through the inability to move freely, hens begin to go insane, carrying out compulsive and repetitive movements through frustration.
- Welfare standards for the hen can vary amongst producers; i.e. how confined, de-beaking, use of antibiotics, longevity of life & handling.
- De-beaking, wing clipping, and antibiotics usually necessary, as well as high energy usage through temperature control & artificial lighting.
- Immunity of birds very low, and die earlier as unhealthy lifestyle.
- Not strong evidence to suggest significant welfare improvements from battery cages to 'colony cages', of which Australia has many... Therefore, there is no production method even similar to cage farming that provides a sufficient standard of welfare for the hen.
- Click here to watch how the factory farming of all animals in agriculture is affecting more than the animals well being...
Barn Laid:
Positive Outcomes
- Birds are free to move around and exhibit most natural behaviors, such as roosting on a perch, laying eggs, dust bathing, and creating a pecking order.
- Protected from disease, inclement weather, and predators.
Negative Outcomes
- Always confined indoors; can never see grass or daylight.
- Generally higher densities, so not as sanitary with no mesh on floor for waste to be collected.
- Not publicized well; consumers are either all for free-range, or go for cheapest option of cage eggs. Not a great market for in between...
*Not all free-range producers are free from the use of antibiotics. Check brand specifications under the Animal Welfare Label unless provided on carton.
** No evidence to prove this, and it would seem there is difference in comfort of hens when you look at video footage comparing the methods...
Note that even though this is an American video, the same facts apply in Australia when it comes to cage versus cage-free.