Happy, Healthy Chooks

On Monday I came across these eggs for sale at a supermarket near my work. At first glance, I thought they were free range. Upon further inspection of the label, I was sure they were free range.

"Rich taste!"

"No unpleasant eggy smell!"

"Eggs from happy, healthy chickens raised on natural, clean water/grounds!"

.. said the literature.

No ACTUAL wording of "free range", but I thought, heck, these are cheap, I'll get 'em.

So I looked up the company when I got home.

The chickens are indeed raised on pristine grounds, surrounded by nature and the such, but upon further inspection of the photos on their website, it would appear that said chooks do not get to venture out into said nature wonderland.

SAD!

I guess until someone develops a Hen Happiness measuring instrument, no one will be able to tell if they actually are happy or not. Perhaps being battery farmed in Japan is like being in a multi-roomed, multi-storied hotel, versus a bed and breakfast.

Many of the egg packaging here boasts pictures of farmers with their statements of being committed to delivering a quality, safe product to consumers. Fair enough, because many consumers want safe eggs.

I just wish mine also came from a free ranging chook, too.