In this blog we are going to tell you about Difference Between Cage – Free and Free-Range, so read this blog carefully to get the complete information.
While buying anything in bulk as a customer, we should read the description on the carton. But we rarely do so. Don’t you think it is important to know the origin of the source of our foods? A carton of eggs is a part of our grocery bag as eggs are an important source of protein. Have you ever looked at the source of the egg you are buying? Hens are bred differently, that is Cage-free and Free-range and they impact our life also. In this article, we will tell you about Cage-free and Free-range cartons and how they differ from each other so that you can know which is better.
What is Cage-free?
A Cage-free stamp on the carton implies that the hen is not raised in a caged environment. Previously in the US, the hen house raised hens in small cages and this was the preferred method of the egg industry which followed since 1960. After that, the US Department of Agriculture regulated the term Cage-free which means that hens are not caged. Hens are left to roam freely in an enclosed area with excess fresh food and water. It is a convenient and better option than conventional cages. This allows hens to move vertically and horizontally and have the best diet. This also enables hens to manifest their natural behavior like nesting, roosting, and foraging in a better way. In a cage-free environment, hens get at least one square foot of space to move horizontally or vertically and also may have access to outdoor space as it is optional.
What is Free-range?
The term Free-range implies that the food comes from animals who have access to outdoor space and who have grazed freely for fresh produce. According to laymen, Free-range refers to ample open space with natural produce and right sunlight so the food is raised organically. However, it does not mean that all free-range products are organic. Food Alliance certified says that free-range eggs come from birds who have access to natural vegetation and they do not live in cages. Hens in a free-range environment live a better quality of life and this also benefits their natural behavior like dust bathing, walking, and foraging. Such hens are healthy as they have been exposed to fresh air and pasture. In a Free-range environment, hens get a minimum of 2 square feet of outdoor space for a minimum of 6 hours a day.
Main Differences between Cage-free and Free-range
The following are the main differences between Cage-free and Free-range as mentioned below:
- The main difference between Cage-free and Free-range is that in cage-free, there is no cage but the hens live in large pens while in free-range, there is no cage and hens live in ample space.
- In a cage-free environment, hens may not have access to outdoor space but in a free-range environment, there is access to broad fresh pasture.
- In cage-free, the feed may not be organic as they contain antibiotics whereas in free-range, the food is free from antibiotics and thus usually organic.
- In a cage-free environment, the chicken remains healthy and active but in free-range, the chicken is more prone to be unhealthy.
- In cage-free, the chicken can move freely in the allotted space while in free-range, the chicken has access to the outdoors also so it can spread its wings and enjoy the natural habitat.
Conclusion
Eggs are a healthy protein source in our diet. Before buying a carton of eggs, one should broaden his knowledge and be conscious of the labels. As it may lead to a lot of confusion over health and sometimes health issues also. If you are also confused about choosing between Cage-free and Free-range, you should look at the differences. Cage-free means that the hens are not staying in a confined place and can move vertically and horizontally. They will also be given fresh water and pasture. On the other hand, in Free-range, hens can roam freely with ample access to water and food and live in their natural habitat. So we hope this article was helpful and now that you know the differences between Cage-free and Free-range cartons of eggs, it will be easy for you to decide which is better for you.
I Hope this blog is sufficient enough to provide the information about Difference Between Cage – Free and Free-Range. Thanks for reading this blog.
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