February 22, 2006 - Mmm, eggs - at what price?

 

Re. “Eggs offer versatility and good nutrition” (Your Chef column, The Tri-City News www.tricitynews.com, Feb. 19).

 

Dear Editor:

 

It may be true that the eggs have increased in nutritional value over the past 30 years but the incredible cruelty involved in producing those eggs at a “fair price” has also dramatically increased.

 

Five to seven hens are crammed into tiny wire cages where they can barely move, let alone flap their wings, dust-bathe or perform any other natural behaviour. Their feathers chafe off due to rubbing against one other or the bars of the cage. They are often covered in feces from the cages above.

 

But don’t just take my word for it. See images from the inside of a Canadian egg farm run by a poultry veterinarian at www.chickenout.ca.

 

Someone always pays the price for cheap products. In this case, it is the hens.

 

Bruce Passmore
Farm Animal Welfare Project Co-ordinator
Vancouver Humane Society