How are the Free range country chicken eggs different?
What are free-range eggs?
To respond to this question with a slight twist would probably break your heart and you would insist on free-range eggs the next time you order eggs in a restaurant or buy them at your preferred store.
Let us first understand how eggs are obtained nearly everywhere in the world. Chicken are reared in atrocious conditions trapped in battery cages where space for them to move is extremely little, just enough for them to stand in one place without movement. Intensive farming methods and harsh battery cages make for the production of inorganic eggs as they are given hormones to produce larger, larger eggs with tough shells.
In India, due to a petition signed by a campaign launched for the humane treatment of chickens by the people for animals (PFA) in India, an appeal is due to be addressed in parliament.
Free-range eggs come from chickens bred in open farms and allowed to roam freely without confining them in a cage of any kind. These chickens are not given hormones or any other artificial aids to produce eggs other than is the natural size and weight. Hence, they are also called cage-free eggs. They are bred in large open organic pastures. They are allowed to run around and fly freely or to bathe in the sunshine or peck at seeds and have fun and frolic.
For example, you may have heard on the news recently, that McDonalds use only free-range eggs in their restaurants. This demonstration of empathy is affirmative action taken by them to prevent cruelty to the birds. This decision could mark a milestone in the methods used all over the globe in raising chicken in cages. Still, we have a long way to go before the campaign for free-range eggs gains any impetus by manufacturers.
Are organic, free-range and cage-free eggs the same?
Yes, they are the same and are also called country eggs. Chickens are allowed to breed in the most natural conditions whether for commercial sale or personal consumption. They are fed on organic grass and legumes, allowed to move freely perching where they may wish in their natural habitats. This organic feed then results in tastier, healthier eggs for human consumption since they are free from stress.
The eggs are much healthier with natural nutritional content far removed from their cousins of our feathered friends bred in cages with no freedom to move.
Difference between regular and free-range eggs?
Scientifically, it is exceedingly difficult to predict that the quality, health and nutritional value of farm-bred free-range eggs have more nutritional content than cage-produced eggs. This difficulty is due to the different strains, the age of the birds, genetic compositions and feed of the birds. Though, the yolks of cage-free eggs are bright orange instead of yellow.
Nutritional content of eggs
Organic eggs are rich in proteins, cholesterol, omega three fatty acids, and carotenoids. The yolks contain carotene which gives them their dark yellow hue. Vitamins A and D also are available.
So, metaphorically and nutritionally speaking, we would urge you to ‘go Mcdonald' or ‘go the Mcdonald way,' demonstrating the same empathy, compassion and humane qualities that will save millions of chickens from battery systems and harsh conditions. Let us not chicken out of this call to action.
