Animal Writings

"What about getting eggs from truly free-range hens?" Although 99 percent of consumers in America do not buy their eggs this way, this question comes up again and again, and so I am addressing it again. Also, as the popularity of farmers markets and locally grown foods continues to increase (which I think is overall, a good thing), the opportunities for buying non-factory farm (notice I didn't say "humane") eggs will increase. For example, at the farmers market near me, there is a vendor selling "free-range eggs from young pullet chickens."

Even without knowing any of the details of the operation, it's a safe bet that the hens who lay those eggs have far better lives than the hens in factory farms, including "free-range" factory farms.

But my standard, and I hope your standard, is not "more humane than." A quick test for me, when determining whether a deliberate, consequential behavior toward an animal, or toward a member of our own species, is justifiable, is asking these three questions:

• Does it follow the Golden Rule?


• Does it follow the principle of "least harm?"


• Is it done with compassion?

If the answer to any of these is "no," and there are not extenuating factors such as self-defense involved, the behavior is probably not moral, or is at least something that one should try to avoid.

In the case of someone selling or buying eggs, the three general questions above could be clarified with more specific questions:

• Have the hens been bred to lay an unnaturally high number of eggs, which takes a toll on their bodies and well-being but yields more revenue to the vendor?


• Are the hens respected as sentient individuals, or as production units to be discarded once they're no longer profitable?


• Do the "growers," farm employees, and buyers have empathy for the hens?


• How are sick hens, old hens, and non-producing hens treated?


• How are the male offspring of breeding hens (the source of the laying hens) treated? Are they treated with compassion? Do they have a decent life? Or are they killed when newborns because they have no economic value?

If the answers to all these questions are more or less what you would answer if asked about your companion animal, or about an animal you loved, chances are decent that the setup is essentially humane. Otherwise, you shouldn't buy the eggs, because you'll be contributing to preventable cruelty. I suppose for me, a good indicator that eggs are obtained humanely would be that the eggs are incidental, not the goal. So far, the only examples I can think of that meet this criterion are individuals who have companion hens in the back yard, and rescuers who look after hens at a sanctuary. There may be a zoo somewhere that qualifies. Note that in none of these examples, except maybe occasionally the first, are eggs sold for profit.

Of course we are all imperfect; we are all, to some extent, a product of our environment and upbringing, and none of us is omniscient. So we make mistakes and fall prey to whims, prejudices, and habits. We're not always honest with ourselves, because that can be brutal, and we may engage in certain behaviors to fit in, or to please others, whether we admit it or not. So we must have mercy on the sinners—which includes all of us—as well as the victims. By the same token, we have some obligation to work for peace and justice. We can't only watch "American Idle." Sometimes—like any animal activist—I am challenged with "what are you doing for humans?" As if by being vegan my ability to help humans is impaired, or I am held to a higher standard. (Actually, by being vegan and calling upon people to be kind to animals to the best of their ability, I think I am helping humans, but I digress.) The question in and of itself, if asked honestly (and it often is not, and is used instead as a rhetorical defense mechanism) is fair. I'd like to expand the question to "what are you doing for sentient beings?"

It's amazing how much you can do for animals with almost no effort. By steadily reducing the amount of animal products in your diet (and your clothing) you will reduce animal suffering. You will also lessen your impact on the environment. The reduction in animal suffering, as a result of your dietary change, will be significant. It should not be measured in terms of "how many animals are still suffering in factory farms?" It should be measured in terms of "how many have I saved? And more importantly, "to what degree am I showing compassion instead of selfish interest? (You can also apply these principles to your buying habits in general, by considering how companies treat their workers and the environment, and choosing where to buy goods and services partially on that basis.)