Photo: BCSPCA

This Easter, the BC SPCA is encouraging residents to support a better life for laying hens.

Eggs are a popular item in the shopping carts of many Canadians and are used for many Easter traditions, such as Easter egg hunts, Easter egg decorating and baking Easter recipes.

The BC SPCA says sadly, 71 per cent of the eggs produced in B.C. come from laying hens that have spent their entire adult lives in cages.

This Easter, you can get cracking on better welfare for laying hens.

The majority of laying hens raised in cages are housed in conventional cages, often called battery cages. This housing system allows for high production and efficiency. However, this comes at a cost to the hens’ welfare.

These cages typically house four to eight hens per cage. Hens have very little space – as little as 432 square centimetres each.

Hens cannot dustbathe, perch, forage or nest. This can cause boredom and frustration, which may lead to painful feather pecking, cannibalism and even death.

Some laying hens are raised in enriched cages. These cages offer slightly more space and may have perches, a nest box and a scratch area. However, these cages are still very restrictive, so the hens are not able to fully benefit from these enrichments.

The SPCA says conventional cages will be completely phased out of egg production in Canada by 2036, but enriched cages will still be allowed. You can avoid these welfare issues by buying cage-free eggs.

How to find cage-free eggs

1. Choose eggs certified by an independent animal welfare certification

Animal welfare certification programs are dedicated to improving the lives of farm animals.

These programs prohibit housing hens in cages and have strict standards to improve the welfare of hens. This includes nutritious feed and clean water, a safe and enriching environment, veterinary care and low-stress handling and transport.

Farms are independently inspected, meaning these are programs you can trust.

The BC SPCA recommends the following programs, so be sure to keep an eye out in the grocery store for their labels.

• Animal Welfare Approved
• Animal Welfare Certified
• Certified Humane
• Organic
• Certified eggs come at a higher cost, but you are investing in a better life for laying hens.

2. Look for ‘cage-free’, ‘free run’ and ‘free range’ labels on egg cartons

Each of these labels mean that the laying hens were not housed in cages. If there is no label, the hens were raised in cages. In a cage-free or free run housing system, the hens are raised indoors loose in a barn where they have access to nests for egg-laying, litter for dustbathing and scratching, and perches.

In a free range housing system, the hens have the same benefits of free run housing, but also have access to the outdoors where they can search for bugs, enjoy the sunshine and explore a larger area.

Eggs with these labels may come at a higher cost, but they were laid by hens that were never confined to small, cramped cages.

3. Replace eggs with an egg alternative

There are plenty of egg substitutes you can use to make your favourite Easter recipes.