CAGE-FREE VS. FREE-RANGE

Figuring out the differences between cage-free vs. free-range eggs is no easy feat.

However, we know you wouldn’t be interested in Nature’s Yoke if you didn’t care about those differences — and what each term means related to the treatment of hens.

That’s why arming you with the information you need to fully understand cage-free vs. free-range (as well as regular free-range vs. Certified Humane free-range) is important to us.

In short, we want to help you make egg choices that align with your values.

Let’s start with the biggest truth you need to know about cage-free vs. free-range — sourced from the Humane Society of the United States:

Cage-free eggs come from hens that are kept indoors all the time.

In contrast, free-range eggs come from hens that must also have access to at least 2 square feet of outdoor space.

This is the only difference between cage-free vs. free-range.

Because the term cage-free paints a picture of hens running free in the fields, many people choose cage-free eggs over free-range eggs thanks to this false image and the fact that cage-free eggs cost less.

What about regular free-range vs. Certified Humane free-range?

All of the free-range family farms Nature’s Yoke partners with are Certified Humane, and we are careful about selecting farms that have pasture-like outdoor spaces where the hens can nibble on the plants and insects they love (a natural behavior that also contributes to the nutritional value of their eggs).

As we’ve shared, the standards for cage-free eggs are very low and even some free-range hens may not be living the life you think. However, if you see the Certified Humane seal on the carton of free-range eggs you’re considering, you can be certain that the hens are able to go outside if they choose for a large part of the day.