Do you know where eggs come from? HAHA, I know what you’re thinking. What a silly question, right?
Some eggs are laid by BATTERY HENS. Never heard of that term before? Don’t worry. Let me explain.
Battery hens are egg-laying hens confined in cages for the duration of their short lives. The minimum legal requirement of space for one bird is just under three quarters the size of an A4 paper!
Typically, battery hens are installed in cramped battery cages within weeks of hatching ( male chicks are simply thrown away and left to die ) and spend nine months to a year there, unable to turn around, flap their wings or even move!
Imagine a large pile of dead baby chickens. Oh, this is just sad L
Most are suffering from brittle bones caused by standing on the wire bottoms of their cages. The hens may also throw themselves against the cage or wedge body parts into the wire, resulting in serious injuries or even death.
Finally, they are disposed of when they are no longer productive.
If you feel outraged after learning about battery hens, here’s what you can do to help:
READ THE LABELS
Go for the “free range” or “barn-laid” eggs. The hens have access to the outdoors during the day, and can also be accommodated in moveable houses. But beware : just because the container says “farm fresh” it doesn’t mean the hens that laid them were running around on a farm; chances are they spent their lives in cramped cage!
GO EGG-FREE
Why not give eggs a miss? It’s actually very easy to make egg-free cakes, quiches, mousses and other traditionally egg-y dishes. Most vegan cookbooks contain recipes with egg substitutes. Instead of one egg, you could use half a teaspoon of baking powder with 2 teaspoons of water, 50g silken tofu, half al large banana (mashed), or 50ml standard white sauce.
Jamie Olliver is all for the cause to free hens from a life of pain and torment.
85% of eggs on the market come from battery hens
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