Raising Chickens

Chickens can be raised in three different ways. They can be cage free, free range, or free farmed. The reason for this many ways to raise chickens is merely an advertising gimmick used by food companies. Each is distinctly different from the other however has little effect of the final product produced. Many ethical dilemmas occur for all of these ways for producing chicken eggs. Still, no matter what way the chicken is raised they all face the same fate, death.

The first form of raising chickens is called cage-free. This definition has no defined meaning and the farmer can use this term very loosely based upon how the chickens are being raised. The farmer can choose to define it almost however he wants. The only guideline the farmers must follow is to keep the chickens out of cages. This form of raising chickens can be very cruel and can raise many ethical dilemmas.

The second form of raising chickens is called free range or free roaming. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) defines this as, “Producers must demonstrate to the agency that the poultry has been allowed access to the outside”. However they fail to define how long the chickens must be allowed access outside and this to framers can be translated into less than 15 minutes per day. Even still it is an estimated 15% of chickens even venture to the outdoors. Free range or free roaming chicken raising can allow chickens a much more comfortable life but, but still is not that great.

The third form of raising chickens is called free farmed. This is the best way to raise the chickens, at least for the chickens. Farmers who use this term must comply with the American Humane Society, which states that all chickens must be free from hunger, pain, and fear. Free farmed chickens have the most pleasant life before they are killed.

It makes no difference to me which way the chickens are raised because in the end it all tastes the same. However if I were a chicken I would definitely like to be raised in a free farmed environment. Although, what would it matter to me, if I were a chicken, because I’m going to die soon anyway.