When shopping around for eggs, one should try to look for eggs having “Certified Humane” stickers. They are the best bet for people who love egg products but want to be sure the hens laying them are being treated well. Top egg farmers like Hillandale Farms are known to offer eggs that have United Egg Producers (UEP), as well as Cage Free American Humane certification. “American Humane Certified” and “Food Alliance Certified” offer similar protections and bans forced molting. They have some of the highest standards when it comes to private animal welfare auditing programs for eggs.
Hillandale Farms provides a brief understanding of American Humane Certified free-range eggs
American Humane Certified Free-Range eggs essentially imply to eggs that come from hens that are allowed to roam outdoors freely, while having adequate access to natural sunlight, fresh air, and ample space. The American Humane Association essentially is a non-profit animal welfare organization that has developed this certification program with the goal of promoting the humane treatment of farm animals. This program puts emphasis on providing consumers with the option to select eggs from hens that are raised in more of a natural and humane environment. As the consumers opt for these eggs and their demand increases, more egg farmers would automatically get encouraged to operate under American Humane Certified practices.
In order to qualify for American Humane Certified Free-Range eggs certification, egg farmers have to follow quite stringent standards for not just animal welfare, but also environmental sustainability. These standards have been carefully developed with inputs from multiple experts in the field, including animal welfare scientists and veterinarians. As per the standards of American Humane Free-Range egg certification, hens must be raised in a setting or environment that promotes their natural behaviors like perching, nesting, and dust bathing. The hens should have adequate access to feed and water. It is vital to make sure the hens are able to live in a comfortable temperature and get adequate ventilation as well. Apart from animal welfare, the American Humane Free-Range standards also put a certain level of focus on environmental sustainability and require egg farmers to implement best management practices to reduce the environmental impact of egg production. This would include proper manure management, water conservation, as well as energy efficiency measures.
The biggest benefit of buying eggs from places like Hillandale Farms which have Cage Free American Humane certification is that it provides consumers with the assurance that such eggs come from hens that have been raised in a natural and humane environment. The hens that are allowed to roam freely outdoors are typically healthier and happier than those that are kept in confinement. These hens are also less likely to suffer from stress, disease, and injuries, as they have proper access to an expansive range of food sources and natural behaviors. There are many people who love to enjoy a variety of dishes made with eggs, but worry about how the hens laying those eggs are treated. These buyers must always try to choose eggs with Cage Free American Humane certification to support the humane treatment of farm animals.
