People often ask us, “But what does “cage-free” actually mean?” as the food and egg industries around the world move toward cage-free production and sourcing.
Navigating the transition to establish and maintain successful cage-free egg farms is more than just a simple process of removing cages. This blog post gives a quick outline of what “cage-free” means, the various housing options, and some important housing and management factors that make a cage-free experience go well.
With the variety of egg labels like cage-free, free-range, and organic popping up in grocery stores, buying eggs has become more complicated While it’s great that consumers have options, the lack of regulation around terms like “cage-free” and “free-range” can make it hard to know what you’re really getting
As a consumer interested in animal welfare and nutrition, I wanted to cut through the confusion and understand exactly what cage-free eggs are all about Here’s a breakdown of the key things to know
What Is Cage-Free?
Cage-free is one of the few egg terms defined by the USDA. It simply means hens are not confined to conventional battery cages. Instead, they can move freely in a barn or enclosed area and have continuous access to food and water.
While cage-free hens have more space than conventional caged hens, they typically do not have outdoor access. Each hen may have 1-1.5 square feet of space in a cage-free facility.
How Cage-Free Compares to Other Labels
Here’s a quick look at how cage-free compares to other common egg labels:
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Free-range means that the hens can go outside, but they may not have a lot of room to do so. For the free-range label, the USDA says that each hen needs 2 square feet of outdoor space.
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Pasture-raised: Hens have significant outdoor access, usually at least 108 square feet per hen. Look for the Certified Humane label with pasture-raised to ensure meaningful outdoor access.
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Organic: Hens have outdoor access and are fed an organic, GMO-free diet. Minimum outdoor space is 2 square feet per hen but may be larger on some farms.
So while cage-free is better than conventional cages, it does not guarantee outdoor access or high welfare like pasture-raised and organic labels aim to provide.
The Pros and Cons of Cage-Free Eggs
There are some benefits as well as drawbacks associated with the cage-free model:
Pros:
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Hens can engage in natural behaviors like spreading their wings, dust bathing, and foraging.
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Potential for better bone health since hens can walk and exercise.
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Lower stocking density than conventional cages.
Cons:
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Increased risk of feather pecking and cannibalism.
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Higher levels of ammonia due to accumulated droppings.
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Potential for overcrowding if outdoor access is not provided.
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No guarantee of adequate outdoor access.
So even though hens that don’t live in cages can act more naturally, the facilities can still be crowded and have bad air quality. Organic and pasture-raised animals are better for the environment and people because they have more open space and better living conditions.
Are Cage-Free Eggs Healthier?
There is no nutritional difference between cage-free and conventional eggs. Eggs from hens kept in any kind of facility contain the following nutrients:
- High-quality protein
- Vitamin A
- Riboflavin
- Vitamin B12
- Choline
- Iron
- Selenium
Some studies show eggs from hens with outdoor access may be higher in vitamin E and omega-3s. But overall, there is minimal nutritional variation between different types of eggs.
Should You Buy Cage-Free Eggs?
Cage-free eggs provide a welfare upgrade from conventional eggs. But terms like organic, free-range, and pasture-raised offer even better living conditions for hens. My recommendation is to purchase pasture-raised eggs whenever possible. They come from small flocks raised on rotating pastures with mobile housing. This mimics hens’ natural habitat.
Even though pasture-raised eggs cost more, they are the most honest in terms of sustainability, welfare of the hens, and openness. If you can only afford cage-free eggs for now, know that they are better than eggs from facilities with cages, though the best way is still for the birds to be outside.
The Takeaway on Cage-Free Eggs
Cage-free means hens are not confined to conventional battery cages, but may still be crowded indoors. While a welfare improvement, cage-free does not guarantee ideal living conditions. For the best combination of hen welfare, nutrition, and transparency, choose pasture-raised and organic eggs when you can. But know that cage-free is still preferable to conventional eggs.
As the demand for ethical eggs continues growing, I’m hopeful even more humane, sustainable options will become accessible. In the meantime, let’s pat ourselves on the back for sourcing eggs from uncaged hens…while continuing to push for that pastoral ideal.
What does “cage-free” mean?
In cage-free systems, the hens are not kept in cages and are free to move around the housing area. When cage-free systems are set up and managed properly, hens can do their natural things like walk, perch, dustbathe, search for food, and lay their eggs in nests. There are different kinds of cage-free housing systems, including:
- One thing that makes barn or “floor-based” systems stand out is that they only have one level of flooring, like a single-story house.
- Aviary systems: aviaries, also called “multi-tier” systems, give birds a chance to fly between different levels inside the shed. Aviaries are great for large-scale production and are often chosen by producers who are switching from cage to cage-free production because they make the best use of vertical space and can house more birds on the same amount of land.
- For free-range animals, both barns and multi-tier farms can let them go outside during the day. These types of systems are called “free-range,” and birds get to the outdoor range area through holes called “pop holes.”
Cage-free systems may be automated or manual. A lot of the time, big producers have very automated systems. These can include conveyor belts that collect eggs, feed and drinker systems that refill themselves and give food and water to the birds automatically, mechanized ventilation systems, and timers that set automatic lighting schedules. Producers may also have systems that are partially or fully automated. For example, they may have an automatic system for drinking but a system for collecting eggs that is done by hand.
Everything You Need To Know About Eggs – Cage Free, Free Range, Pasture Raised, and More
FAQ
What is the difference between cage-free and caged chickens?
Unlike battery hens, cage-free hens are able to walk, spread their wings and lay their eggs in nests, vital natural behaviors denied to hens confined in cages. Most hens that don’t live in cages live in small groups, sometimes as few as a few dozen, and never go outside.
What makes a chicken cage-free?
Cage-free means chickens are not kept in battery cages, and so can roam around in a barn. This sounds great, but chickens in factory farms are packed in tightly, often unable to move around, and are not guaranteed enrichments to ensure their well-being.
What is the downside to free-range chickens?
The chickens can scratch up your grass for dust baths. They need shelter to protect themselves from predators. Free-ranging birds have the tendency to hide their eggs. Free-ranging birds can wreak havoc on your seed beds and gardens.
Are cage-free chickens healthier?
Diseases are less likely to spread in cage-free environments because they are cleaner, have fewer rodent and insect disease carriers, and are easier to clean and disinfect. Hens that lay their eggs on bedding also get more natural, healthy gut flora and are less stressed, which makes them less likely to get sick.