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Buy Smaller Eggs, Ease Hens' Pain: Farmer

Free range producer says hens hurt when they lay large eggs

By Ambreen Ali,  Newser User

Posted Mar 11, 2009 4:27 PM CDT

(Newser) – Free range, cage free, organic. Add one more to think about when you’re grocery-shopping: Medium eggs cause hens less pain when laid, a British farmer tells the Times. “It takes more out of hens to lay large eggs,” he said. “It would be kinder to eat smaller eggs.” Animal-rights groups say laying large eggs can cause osteoporosis and bone breakage in hens.

Another animal specialist notes large eggs often have bloodstains, possible proof of stress. Yet the size trend persists because farmers reap greater profit from large eggs and consumers sense they are getting more for their buck. “I think there are bigger welfare issues that people have in their mind, such as hens in cages,” says a spokesman for a veterinary group.

Critics say consumers are worried about bigger issues, like caged hens, than the size of the egg laid.
Critics say consumers are worried about bigger issues, like caged hens, than the size of the egg laid.   (Shutterstock)
A free-range grower says it hurts hens to lay large eggs.
A free-range grower says it hurts hens to lay large eggs.   (Shutterstock)
The grower says medium eggs taste better and are less watery, but that farmers enjoy greater profit margins from large eggs.
The grower says medium eggs taste better and are less watery, but that farmers enjoy greater profit margins from large eggs.   (Shutterstock)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 6 comments
Guest
Sep 21, 2009 12:03 AM CDT
At what point do we decide that these vegan human-hating idiots are too whacked out and stop rewarding them with this much attention?
riffran
Mar 13, 2009 3:16 AM CDT
only need two large eggs to make a decent omelet...lol.....I'm sure there is an exception in nature, but I do beleive that all omnivors, and predators have bnocular vision in common....case in point humans, owls, hawks, canines, ect...all able to look forward with both eyes on the same object, for depth perception...a trait that true herbivores lack.....pass the bacon and fillet mignon....rare please
Guest
Mar 12, 2009 4:41 AM CDT
We could all just keep our own hens and harvest our own eggs.

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