Sources: Available upon request.
31 Jan 2024
Benefits of cage-free eggs
Cage-free eggs can give hens a dignified life and offer a product with many benefits for the consumer.
Cage-free eggs can give hens a dignified life and offer a product with many benefits for the consumer.
Eggs are one of the basic foods for mankind and in recent years the consumption of cage-free eggs has become a trend. There are different types of egg production; the classic multi-story cage systems and cage-free eggs. This last is an animal-friendly option that prevents hens from having limited space and in general offer a higher quality of life, which translates into a product that provides more health benefits for people also.
Some problems related to the limited space are almost non-existent perches and dirt baths, which are natural basic needs of this species and can also lead to bone wear in the birds.
This problem not only affects the conditions of the birds, but it has been proven by specialists that cage-free eggs can have better characteristics and more benefits for consumers when the hens have adequate space to carry out their basic survival needs. These organic eggs are superior in quality as they contain less saturated fat and cholesterol and have higher protein levels compared to a "normal" or cage-produced egg.
They also add more vitamin A, vitamin E, Omega-3, and alpha-tocopherols (an antioxidant that has the property of protecting polyunsaturated fatty acids in membranes and other cellular structures) and also alpha-linolenic acid (an essential polyunsaturated fatty acid of the Omega-3 series).
They also add high levels of carotenoids and lutein; a type of organic pigment called carotenoid that is related to the natural care of visual health. All this for the benefit of the consumer, but for the hens it represents a proper quality of life without being subjected to the stress and constraints of cages.
Some reasons to consume cage-free eggs:
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- It has a fresher taste and better culinary notes.
- The consumer has a healthier food with an enhanced nutritional profile.
- They are products where the birds can enjoy a wide habitat with access to the open air, that is why they are called "happy hen eggs".
- Respect for the animal and general improvement of its welfare.
- High quality product, where consumers and animals benefit equally.
To identify these cage-free eggs, the consumer should read the specifications on the product label, since producers usually put a seal or certificate of organic product.
Now that the nutritional goodness of cage-free eggs and the animal welfare benefits they represent for hens are clear, it is up to consumers to pay a little more to support this growing global trend in the poultry sector.
