What the numbers on the eggs mean
Egg markings in the European Union give more control over what breeding conditions the hens have. When buying eggs in stores, the vast majority of people choose the cheapest ones with a mark of 3. They care little about how the animals are treated, what matters most is their money (to spend as little as possible) and their bellies. Just spending a few coins more can definitely improve the conditions in which animals live. How many eggs do you buy per month? Don't be stingy and let these poor animals live in better conditions. Egg producers themselves are also misleading, claiming happy free-range hens on green grass on their packaging, with eggs numbered 3 inside.
Humanity is demoralized, instead of living in harmony with nature, showing love for people and animals, it treats others as enemies, often going after dead bodies to achieve its goals. Money is more important than the welfare of others. When they fail in life, they face suffering and complain to God.
It's sad that people don't see their fault, how they live and act. If it weren't for God's love for humans we would have perished long ago. The evil we do to animals is disproportionately small compared to that which befalls us. If we felt what we do to animals, we would have concentration camps and perpetual war in every city.
Fortunately, the public is increasingly aware of what the numbers on the eggs mean and is beginning to choose more often those with the numbers 0 and 1. In many stores you can find eggs marked with the number 1, less often 0. However, looking at the number of bad eggs (2, 3), there are many more of them than the good ones (0, 1). It's sad that for a paltry profit, eggs are bought from hens treated with cruelty and suffering.
The eggs are divided into:
- 3 - Cage
- 2 - Indoor / deep litter
- 1 - Free-range
- 0 - Organic
Cage
Chickens are kept in cages, squeezed side by side. The changes that came in thanks to European Union regulations have not helped much. As numerous inspections have shown, the enlarged dimensions of the cage, i.e. 750 square centimeters (a square measuring 27*27 cm), have caused producers to increase the number of hens in the cage. The beaks of the hens are trimmed so that they don't injure each other, although they do so anyway. The hens never leave the cage. The cramped conditions cause aggression in the birds, where many fall prey to cannibalism. The average life expectancy of a hen is 12 years, in cage rearing it is less than 2 years. The life of a hen is reminiscent of how Jews were transported in animal wagons heading to concentration camps. The appearance of caged hens bears little resemblance to organic hens. How long would you last living in a 2*2 meters room with 36 other people that you can't leave, deprived of sunlight? Wouldn't you go insane? Don't look at the pictures and drawings that are put on egg packages. This is a lie used by manufacturers! How many of them would sell eggs if they posted a real photo of caged eggs?
27 cm = 10.63 inches
2 meters = 78.74 inches
Indoor / deep litter
It differs from threes in that the hens are kept in crowded coops, where they are allowed to move around. There is 1 square meter for 9 hens, a 34*34 cm cage per hen. Eggs with a mark of 2, are sold in colorful packaging, do not show the truth.
1 square meter = 10.76 square feet
34 cm = 13.39 inches
Free-range
Refers to an egg from a free-range hen, that is, one that is allowed to leave the coop. Hens have constant access during the day to an outdoor run, usually covered with vegetation. The interiors must conform to the conditions of a barn system, and the maximum density can be 2,500 birds per hectare (4 cubic meters per hen). Birds are allowed to move freely, resulting in stronger bones. They can use perches, choose nesting sites and exhibit natural behaviors.
hectare = 2.47 acres
4 cubic meters = 141.3 cubic feet
Organic
They come from such a hen, which is not only free-range, but also fed with organic food. The hens in such husbandry even have luxurious living conditions. The animals can bathe in the sand, run around in the open air, nibble grass and eat earthworms. This is a typical rural, backyard hen. The hens live in conditions of the highest welfare. Unfortunately, these eggs are rare, you are more likely to find 1 than 0 in stores.
Eggs in the United States
Caged: Hens are kept in small cages with limited space, and are fed a diet of corn or soy. They are never allowed to go outside and are kept in these cages for their entire egg-laying lives. This is the most common method of egg production in the U.S.
Cage-Free: These hens have a bit more space than caged hens, but are still confined to barns and fed a diet of corn or soy. They are not given access to the outdoors.
Free-Range: These hens are given a bit more space than cage-free hens and are allowed some access to the outdoors. However, they are still confined to a specific area and are fed a diet of corn or soy.
Pasture-Raised: These hens are given a large amount of space and are allowed to roam and forage for food, including grass, bugs, and worms. They are typically let out in the morning and called back in at night. They are also fed some feed, but it is not their primary source of nutrition.
- Why animals suffer - more in the article Animal suffering and the Bible
