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Eggs
Feb 17, 2008 6:08:55 GMT -5
Post by Dabbit on Feb 17, 2008 6:08:55 GMT -5
Do you buy fee range eggs? If so do you think its better for the chicken? Here in the UK investigations have proven that chickens that are claimed to be free range actually have very little better life than caged hens. However they are allowed outside and a little extra room - but apart from that nothing. I now try to buy the eggs in our local store which are 'kind to the chicken' by allowing it to roam freely in open woodland area. Or my wife buys them at the shops where she works where they are known to have a good life.
I get shocked and saddened by the big companies (particularly Tesco in the USA they are called 'Fresh and easy') who seem to care more about money than anything!
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Eggs
Feb 17, 2008 11:01:37 GMT -5
Post by Mark on Feb 17, 2008 11:01:37 GMT -5
Aye, sad but true, Dabbit. Here, these close, tightly confined cages are known as 'battery cages', and should be banned. And, unfortunately, more often than not, 'free range' isn't quite as 'free' nor are the chickens allowed to 'range' as far as the name implies. A sad, but all too familiar commentary on our maltreatment of our fellow creatures. Utterly shameful!
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Eggs
Feb 18, 2008 22:31:23 GMT -5
Post by rita on Feb 18, 2008 22:31:23 GMT -5
I don't buy "free range" eggs, Dabbit. Not for any particular reason, but I don't see the value in doing so. As you and Mark have said, other than being able to stretch their little legs for a bit, what's the point? I know the conditions that commercial hens have to live in are horrendous, but are so-called free range chickens any better off in the end? I don't know. I get extremely upset by seeing the reports on the mistreatment/abuse of farm animals, but logically how can we ever get complete control over it? Particularly with chickens/eggs...the numbers required to satisfy the demand for eggs, in this country alone, are beyond astronomical! To produce the massive quantities needed to bring them to market, unscrupulous vendors will always find the cheapest way to increase production at the poor animals' expense. There are a few companies around, however, who are attempting to improve the conditions of the hens, while maintaining output. One such company, "Eggland's Best" here in the US, seems to be doing a good job of balancing that dilemma. They offer what they call Cage Free as well as Organic varieties, and all their eggs are certified Kosher. Their hens have adequate room, fresh water, are fed a strictly controlled vegetarian diet, free of hormones, antibiotics and steroids. EB eggs taste better and are have better nutritional value for us, as well. Downside: they cost more, of course, but worth the increased price IMHO. If you're interested here's the URL to their web site www.egglandsbest.com/why_eggland/whyegg.asp?pg=about. In light of all the atrocities being committed against these and other helpless creatures, its encouraging to know that there are some companies committed to the humane care and welfare of the animals that are bred to feed us, and still maintain a viable and prosperous business. Sorry, I know that was little long, but between the chickens and cows this week...I guess I just had lot to say
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Eggs
Feb 19, 2008 14:23:52 GMT -5
Post by Mark on Feb 19, 2008 14:23:52 GMT -5
That is the brand I buy, Rita, 'Eggland's Best'.
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Eggs
Feb 19, 2008 15:16:56 GMT -5
Post by Dabbit on Feb 19, 2008 15:16:56 GMT -5
Tesco in the uk and their USA stores of FResh and easy, recently introduced a £1.99 full sized chicken here. of course this sparked a row on how they could manage it and of coure it was by mass proudction.
As Rita says people want healthy food at low cost, but this shouldn't mean at harm to the animal and I firmly belive that if the animal is going to give up its life so we can enjoy its flesh - then the least we can do is treat it to a decent life while it has just that - life. I have often thought about becoming vegetarian, but alas my like for vegetable items is limited and I fear I would starve - even though it might take a few years before I eventually died due to some excess baggage.
Of course as you say free rnage doesn't mean free range at all it simply means they are allowed outside - with slightly more space though still extremely over crowded. I think the only solution if for people to buy the type that are kind as you mention eggland best, or local like ours. of course this won;t happen while everyone is more worried about finding a few pence for the next drink or packet of cigarettes.
I have noticed that with the eggs that I buy (woodland one and local ones) the yolks are a much nicer yellow than what I recall from the caged hens.
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Eggs
Feb 19, 2008 16:06:23 GMT -5
Post by sandy on Feb 19, 2008 16:06:23 GMT -5
The difference in the yolk color comes from the feed the chickens eat. THe same is true of the meat. There used to be a local guy who raised chickens because he liked to. He had the best tasting eggs ever. He also pampered his hens. Probably the rooster also.
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Eggs
Feb 19, 2008 16:34:31 GMT -5
Post by Mark on Feb 19, 2008 16:34:31 GMT -5
I have always preferred locally grown produce and other items where available. One reason why I go to Whole Foods whenever I can as they buy from local farmers as much as possible.
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Eggs
Feb 19, 2008 16:54:28 GMT -5
Post by rita on Feb 19, 2008 16:54:28 GMT -5
If I were lucky enough to have a local chicken farmer nearby, that would probably by my first choice, too. But, alas, I must rely on my local supermarket, so I do the next best thing for me and the chickens - I buy the Eggland's Best brand. I have no earthly idea how to solve the issues of mass production and the associated horror stories...as long as there are people who need to eat (and we all do), and Bizillions (scientific-specific term of measurement LOL) of pounds of food products are needed to feed them, mass produced food will be necessary, and therefore, unscrupulous vendors will continue to exist....I just don't know the answer to solving this problem. I don't think becoming a vegetarian is the answer, either, Dabbit. I'd be right there with you, withering away LOL!!
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Eggs
Feb 19, 2008 19:33:05 GMT -5
Post by Maria on Feb 19, 2008 19:33:05 GMT -5
Of course one solution would be to raise your own chickens and harvest their eggs. I remember when I was a very young girl going to my Aunt's ranch in California. They raised cows, sheep, chickens, rabbits, and planted veg's and fruit trees too. Now I loved visiting the place and collecting the eggs. However, there was an occasion when the killed a chicken. That was the last of my intrigue with farm life. At one time I lived in Petaluma, Ca which was the egg basket of the world--that was in the 50's. Several of my friends had chicken ranches. I loved running through the chickens and scarring them. Back then it was funny to see the chickens running all over the place ,as Babs and I ran around yelling and being stupid kids. Now that memory is a bit embarrassing! Of course it is true today that there are no real 'free range' chickens. Doors are left open for the chicks to go outside but they pretty much stay in one place and don't venture out. Well that is my say on chickens!
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Eggs
Feb 20, 2008 8:59:48 GMT -5
Post by Mark on Feb 20, 2008 8:59:48 GMT -5
Interesting story, Maria. And, since you lived in the 'egg basket' of the worldl, perhaps you can answer that age-old question, which came first the chicken, or the dumpling? ;D
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Eggs
Feb 20, 2008 12:33:31 GMT -5
Post by rita on Feb 20, 2008 12:33:31 GMT -5
Oh...Maria...raise my own chickens?? Do I have to? ...ummm, no, I think I'll pass on that suggestion, thanks anyway! LOL! (Though the joyful visual of two little girls running through a yard full of chickens is endearing! Somehow, that doesn't seem to translate to a similar visual of a 53 yr old woman (me) doing the same!! ;D
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Eggs
Feb 20, 2008 14:13:21 GMT -5
Post by Mark on Feb 20, 2008 14:13:21 GMT -5
Hmmm....and there I was picturing the two of you in little sundresses doing just that. ;D
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Eggs
Feb 20, 2008 17:42:48 GMT -5
Post by rita on Feb 20, 2008 17:42:48 GMT -5
Ahhhaaahhaa!!! That was dream gone bad!!!
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Eggs
Feb 21, 2008 13:05:51 GMT -5
Post by Dabbit on Feb 21, 2008 13:05:51 GMT -5
Actually I wouldn't mind raising my own chickens though I could never kill them for food and they would only be for eggs. But alas space (not to mention a dog that chases anything with legs and wings - so a chicken would stand little chance) probhibits me from doing it.
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Eggs
Feb 21, 2008 16:05:17 GMT -5
Post by Mark on Feb 21, 2008 16:05:17 GMT -5
Local ordinances here would prevent me from doing so - not to mention the neighbors....
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Eggs
Feb 22, 2008 7:49:43 GMT -5
Post by Dabbit on Feb 22, 2008 7:49:43 GMT -5
NEIGHbours might complain if it were horses (sorry bad pun there), but with chickens surely they'd be EGGstatic about the spare free eggs they might get? But they could get all CLUCKY and ignore you I suppose
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Eggs
Feb 22, 2008 12:33:53 GMT -5
Post by Mark on Feb 22, 2008 12:33:53 GMT -5
Ah, yes, but you never know when they might be in the mood for some fried chicken, and where would you be then? EGGzactly where you started.
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Eggs
Feb 22, 2008 12:42:44 GMT -5
Post by Dabbit on Feb 22, 2008 12:42:44 GMT -5
But you wouldn't be able to eggstract any more eggs if you southern fried the chicken wood you?
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Eggs
Feb 22, 2008 13:11:15 GMT -5
Post by Mark on Feb 22, 2008 13:11:15 GMT -5
You're so right - guess I'll CHICKEN out....my brain's getting SCRAMBLED trying to come up with another pun - guess I stay COOPed up too much.
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Eggs
Feb 22, 2008 15:07:10 GMT -5
Post by rita on Feb 22, 2008 15:07:10 GMT -5
Well, it seems you guys have managed to answer that age-old question for me...which came first - the chicken or the egg? It seems that in your own inimitable ways you have declared the chicken to be correct response. Thanks!!
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