WHAT ABOUT FREE-RANGE AND CAGE-FREE?
The agricultural industry is aware that the public has concerns regarding the abuse of animals and has attempted to blur the issues using confusing and misleading terms. These terms do NOT mean that the animals have been spared some of the industry’s worst horrors like intensive confinement, debeaking and live maceration.
FREE-RANGE
Free-range is slightly better than cage-free, with animals given some access to the outdoors, however, typically this outdoor area is too small for birds to spend any real time there. All free-range eggs allow for the grinding up of male chicks as well as slaughter methods that cause pain and stress for the animals.
CAGE-FREE
Cage-free hens still endure confinement within windowless sheds and are held at high stocking densities, where the birds crowded into a small area.