Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know the eggs I'm buying are cage-free?
In Canada, 98% of all eggs come from hens confined in battery cages which deprive them of the ability to nest, turn around or spread their wings. Cage-free eggs include those eggs labelled "cage free", "free run", "free range", "SPCA Certified", "Certified Local Sustainable" or "Certified Organic".
The eggs in my store are advertised as "farm fresh" or "natural". Is this the same as cage-free?
Read the label carefully. Unless the label also indicates that the eggs are "cage free", "free run", "free range", "SPCA Certified" or "Certified Organic" or otherwise indicates that the hens are raised "in open barns with nest boxes" or similar language, these eggs are likely not cage-free. Labels such as "farm fresh", "natural", "green" or "Omega-3" do not mean "cage free". "Natural" could mean that the birds are not fed antibiotics and no pesticides are used in the feed. "Vegetarian-friendly" means the birds are fed a vegetarian diet so they are not likely allowed to peck in the grass for insects and worms. "Omega-3" also refers to the diet birds are fed (typically flax). And "Farm Fresh" in the context of eggs bought in a grocery store is usually just a marketing slogan. Be wary of misleading labels that have nothing to do with the production methods or how the animals are raised. And don't be fooled by the images on egg cartons and ads either – 98% of eggs sold in Canada come from battery cage operations. If the carton doesn't indicate the eggs are cage- free, they're probably from battery hens.
The brown eggs are cage-free, right?
The colour of eggs has nothing to do with whether eggs are cage-free or not. Just like white eggs, most brown eggs come from hens kept in battery cages. Egg colour is determined by chicken genetics (generally speaking brown hens lay brown eggs and white hens lay white eggs).
I can’t find free-range eggs in the store – only free-run. What’s the difference?
Both are considered cage-free. Free-range hens are allowed outdoor access whereas free-run (also known as barn eggs) are kept entirely indoors. True free-range eggs are hard to find in Canada, due in large part to our climatic conditions.
Aren’t free-run, free-range and certified organic eggs more expensive?
Purchasing cage-free eggs can cost as little as 20¢ an egg more than battery cage eggs. Certified organic eggs might cost up to 40¢ more. As more cage-free eggs are produced this price difference will be even less. Surely 20 to 40 cents more is not a lot to pay to ensure the hen that laid the egg you’re eating was at least able to turn around, stretch their wings, lay eggs in a nest, dust bathe and behave like ...well...like a hen.
Another point to consider is that the cheaper eggs often don’t reflect the true costs of production. Large egg factory farms have a significant impact on the environment, human health and the quality of life in rural communities. At present, all Canadians are forced to bear the hidden costs associated with producing cheap food—these include increased health care costs and cleaning up pollution. Perhaps, we should instead be asking why are battery cage eggs so cheap?
What if I don’t eat eggs?
You can still participate in our campaign by encouraging people who do eat eggs to choose cage-free and encourage grocery stores, restaurants, schools and cities to switch to more humane alternatives. Find out how to get involved now. Also, the vast majority of breeding sows, pigs raised for meat, broiler chickens, veal calves are kept in intensive confinement. WSPA encourages people to choose free-range or organic meats.
