Organic egg production
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Organic egg production is the production of
Differences between "free range" and "organic"
Significant differences cover feed, medication, and animal welfare. Organic hens are fed organic feed; it is prohibited to feed animal
In the European Union (EU), to identify and trace egg production, a unique code must legally be printed on all eggs. A "0" code distinguishes organic farming eggs.[2] The regulation on egg marking includes four levels with strict requirements on husbandry conditions. While free-range and indoor keeping requires 1100 cm² indoor space per hen it makes 1667 cm² (or 6 hens per square meter) the minimum for organic farming.
Organic feed
Organic feed is grown without the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), synthetic fertilizers, pesticides or herbicides. It is often grown by
Living conditions
In the United States, "organic" egg production means that the flock may not live in cages and must have access to outdoor areas.[1]
Antibiotics
Organic egg producers cannot feed low-level
Molting
Some farms induce molting in their flocks to affect egg production. In organic egg farms, the birds are allowed to go into a natural molt but are not induced.[4]
Animal welfare
Meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products labeled "organic" must come from animals who are "(m)anaged without antibiotics, added growth hormones, mammalian or avian byproducts, or other prohibited feed ingredients."
See also
- Organic certification
- Free range eggs
- Free range
- Pastured poultry
- The Happy Egg Company
- Battery cage
References
- ^ a b United States Code of Federal Regulations; 7 CFR 205.239 (a)(1)
- ^ "Welcome to Ygea Farm". www.ygea.farm. Retrieved 2018-04-13.
- ^ "Organic Production/Organic Food: Information Access Tools | Alternative Farming Systems Information Center| NAL | USDA". www.nal.usda.gov. Retrieved 2018-04-13.
- ^ "What's Cracking With Organic Eggs?". The Spruce. Retrieved 2018-04-13.
- ^ Agricultural Marketing Service, “Organic Livestock Requirements,” The National Organic Program, U.S. Department of Agriculture, July 2013.
- ^ "About The U.S. Egg Industry," American Egg Board, 1 May 2018
- ^ Peter Whorisky, "More Than A Million Hens, Filling Barns at Three Per Square Foot. And Yes, They're USDA Organic," The Washington Post," 13 July 2017
- ^ Chas Newkey-Burden, "Free range is a con. There’s no such thing as an ethical egg," The Guardian, 30 January 2017.