When you hear the term “cage-free”, it refers to one of three different types of production methods: free-run, free-range and organic. An enriched cage, while it does provide more space, is still a cage, and is not considered cage-free. The following provides further details on each of the three cage-free options:

 

Free-Run

Generally speaking, free-run eggs come from hens who are kept indoors in large barns. They have no access to the outdoors and may or may not have litter in which to scratch and dust-bathe. They may or may not be overcrowded.

 

In British Columbia, there is also a BC Speciality Egg Certified Free-Run egg, which may have higher standards than conventional battery systems (but not as high as Pro-cert and COABC certified organic systems or BCSPCA Certified). However, there is still no audit system in place to ensure these standards are being met.

Free-Range

Generally speaking, free-range eggs come from chickens who have some access to the outside, depending on the weather. They may or may not have litter. They may or may not be overcrowded. They may or may not have access to nests and perches.

 

In British Columbia, there is also a BC Speciality Egg Certified Free-range egg, which may have higher standards than conventional battery systems (but not as high as Pro-cert and COABC certified organic systems or BCSPCA Certified). However, there is still no audit system in place to ensure these standards are being met.

Organic Free-Range

Research conducted by the Vancouver Humane Society has determined that the most humane systems presently operating in Canada are those monitored by provincial organic certifying associations. In BC, the organization is known as the Certified Organic Association of BC (COABC). Nationally, the program is known as the Canadian Organic Regime (COR). Eggs certified by these organizations are produced in higher welfare systems where hens can behave more naturally. In British Columbia, all BCSPCA Certified egg farms also meet certified organic standards.

 

For more information on certified organic labels, please click here.