It makes me laugh everytime I hear a producer or activist say for either conventional, cage free, or free range...It's the perfect systerm.
We all know the saying "Nothing is Perfect". So why keep pushing the idea of perfection into the minds of consumers!
Instead we need educate everyone! Consumers need to make their OWN decision on which to buy!
Our market system is based on the consumers' dollars. If a consumer buys a certain kind whether it is caged or roaming outside, let them decide which they think is best.
I'm tired of people (mainly it's been activists) forcing the industry to only sell a certain kind. And there is no way you can say they are not! Prop 2 is the GREATEST example!!!!!
In the next few weeks, I will be taking each system one by one and giving you the truth behind them.
What they usually look like, Positives, negatives, and my own opinion after raising hens in the system.
Truthfully, making a decision for me was based on seeing these farms...it is difficult to see any poultry farm because of biosecurity measures but I will do my best to give you the truth on each system in the weeks to come.
(My Christmas with my mom is today!! :) soo...Merry Christmas Everyone!!!!
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Monday, December 13, 2010
Settling the confusion
Ever go to the store to buy eggs and feel overwhelmed by the selection?
White? Brown? Cage Free? Free Range? Organic? Whats the difference?
This post will be just for information on the difference between eggs you will find in the store; however, a post will come at a later time which will give positives and negatives of the housing systems.
Beginning with the easiest one..
White eggs and brown eggs are generally the same. Studies have found that neither brown nor white contain any nutriontal difference from each other. Also, most people cannot taste the difference.
The only difference is mainly the price. This is due to the fact that brown eggs are usually laid by Rhode Island Reds, a larger bird which needs more feed to produce the egg and takes up more space. Therefore, the producer has a higher expense for feed and housing this breed
While white eggs come from White Leghorn (Pronounce leg-ern) hens which are a smaller bird that does not eat as much as the larger birds.
Cage Free vs. Free Range are a tiny bit different.
Cage Free have set standards that require the birds to not be confined to the typical battery cage. The United Egg Producers (UEP) have created standards that give birds 1.5 square feet of space along with a perching area, nestboxes, and proper feed and water. Cage free are housed in a barn but are on the ground in a large area with room to run around, scratch, and root in the dirt.
Free Range are a niche market that do not have standards set. The idea behind free range is to allow birds access to outside through a small opening. The birds are able to go back and forth between inside and outside the barn.
Organic eggs are from free range chickens who eat organic food!
The price is higher because organic food is very expensive.
The organic food is usually made up of the same basic ingredients corn and soybean but must be from a 100% certified organic producer of the corn and soybean.
Each system has it's positive and negative effects on the bird; however, please remember that the industry workers and owners are not out to harm the birds in any way shape or form. This is their livelihood. These systems have been researched and tested to find a way to humanely produce enough eggs for families to buy the eggs at their reasonable price they are at.
White? Brown? Cage Free? Free Range? Organic? Whats the difference?
This post will be just for information on the difference between eggs you will find in the store; however, a post will come at a later time which will give positives and negatives of the housing systems.
Beginning with the easiest one..
White eggs and brown eggs are generally the same. Studies have found that neither brown nor white contain any nutriontal difference from each other. Also, most people cannot taste the difference.
The only difference is mainly the price. This is due to the fact that brown eggs are usually laid by Rhode Island Reds, a larger bird which needs more feed to produce the egg and takes up more space. Therefore, the producer has a higher expense for feed and housing this breed
While white eggs come from White Leghorn (Pronounce leg-ern) hens which are a smaller bird that does not eat as much as the larger birds.
Cage Free vs. Free Range are a tiny bit different.
Cage Free have set standards that require the birds to not be confined to the typical battery cage. The United Egg Producers (UEP) have created standards that give birds 1.5 square feet of space along with a perching area, nestboxes, and proper feed and water. Cage free are housed in a barn but are on the ground in a large area with room to run around, scratch, and root in the dirt.
Free Range are a niche market that do not have standards set. The idea behind free range is to allow birds access to outside through a small opening. The birds are able to go back and forth between inside and outside the barn.
Organic eggs are from free range chickens who eat organic food!
The price is higher because organic food is very expensive.
The organic food is usually made up of the same basic ingredients corn and soybean but must be from a 100% certified organic producer of the corn and soybean.
Each system has it's positive and negative effects on the bird; however, please remember that the industry workers and owners are not out to harm the birds in any way shape or form. This is their livelihood. These systems have been researched and tested to find a way to humanely produce enough eggs for families to buy the eggs at their reasonable price they are at.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Quick side note...
I know we have not discussed housing; however, I saw an article on another blog from Ohio about a deal agriculturalists are having with HSUS!
This deal is somewhat like prop 2 in California in 2008 except that Ohio learned from us and stopped them before they had their chance to tell a false story to consumers!
It is definitely an interesting yet smart way to stop any further legislation where the public may not be fully knowlegable on the subject!
Check it out
I attached the link somewhere... Still new at blogging so if you don't see it let me know.
And I'd love to hear your opinions!!
This deal is somewhat like prop 2 in California in 2008 except that Ohio learned from us and stopped them before they had their chance to tell a false story to consumers!
It is definitely an interesting yet smart way to stop any further legislation where the public may not be fully knowlegable on the subject!
Check it out
I attached the link somewhere... Still new at blogging so if you don't see it let me know.
And I'd love to hear your opinions!!
Monday, November 22, 2010
What we believe, we may not know?
My friend and partner in my project, Karen, and I have gone to three locations asking 25 consumers at each location their perspectives on the industry and preferences in their eggs.
Its interesting to me to see how many people do not quite understand why they buy what they do or even what it is.
For example, a common misconception is about the hens diet. Although the Organic market is small and mostly a niche market, there are those that buy it thinking that it is a healthier, nutrient richer product. Yet, when asked if the hens diet affects their purchasing preference, they answer with not really or even not at all. Now, this is very contradicting due to the fact that the main idea of organic is their feed.
Organic poultry must have access to the outdoors according to the United States Code of Federal Regulations; 7 CFR 205.239 and must also be fed with organic certified feeds meaning free from GMO's (Genetically modified Organisms) or antibiotics.
Now this is just one type of niche market in the poultry industry and it amazes me how many of us do not know the facts about what we buy.
Truthfully,
This kind of scares me!!! It makes me wonder What I personally do not know about certain things I buy, believe, and think?
Do you know what you are buying? Do you know the other options and types available? Why do you grab this type of product instead of that? Who or what told you your information? Are they reliable?
These are all questions that I believe every person should take into consideration before making a decision on where you stand OR AT LEAST before you criticize anyone else for their view point.
However, I am the type of person who will work toward working out an answer when a problem arises and yes I have figured out the perfect answer!
It is called: EDUCATION!
Yes, you as consumers, voters, and members of this nation and world have the opportunity to know what you are buying and what to believe.
Everyone has their opinions, ideas, beliefs, and preferences and you are entitled to them.
My hope is that this blog educates you on the knowledge I have of the poultry industry!
God Bless and have a great week!!
~AMie
Its interesting to me to see how many people do not quite understand why they buy what they do or even what it is.
For example, a common misconception is about the hens diet. Although the Organic market is small and mostly a niche market, there are those that buy it thinking that it is a healthier, nutrient richer product. Yet, when asked if the hens diet affects their purchasing preference, they answer with not really or even not at all. Now, this is very contradicting due to the fact that the main idea of organic is their feed.
Organic poultry must have access to the outdoors according to the United States Code of Federal Regulations; 7 CFR 205.239 and must also be fed with organic certified feeds meaning free from GMO's (Genetically modified Organisms) or antibiotics.
Now this is just one type of niche market in the poultry industry and it amazes me how many of us do not know the facts about what we buy.
Truthfully,
This kind of scares me!!! It makes me wonder What I personally do not know about certain things I buy, believe, and think?
Do you know what you are buying? Do you know the other options and types available? Why do you grab this type of product instead of that? Who or what told you your information? Are they reliable?
These are all questions that I believe every person should take into consideration before making a decision on where you stand OR AT LEAST before you criticize anyone else for their view point.
However, I am the type of person who will work toward working out an answer when a problem arises and yes I have figured out the perfect answer!
It is called: EDUCATION!
Yes, you as consumers, voters, and members of this nation and world have the opportunity to know what you are buying and what to believe.
Everyone has their opinions, ideas, beliefs, and preferences and you are entitled to them.
My hope is that this blog educates you on the knowledge I have of the poultry industry!
God Bless and have a great week!!
~AMie
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Production of an Egg
We have established that eggs are a common food item found in most human diets. Yet, I would venture to say that over 3/4 of the population does not know what an egg even is nonetheless how it becomes the hard shelled food product used in everyday meals.
An egg takes about a total of 24 hours.
It begins in the middle with a mature ova. This mature ova is a bright, yellow colored, soft ball of liquid... Sound familiar? Yes the ova or the hen's egg cell is the yolk you eat in eggs. Now after hearing this many get nervous thinking their yolk is fertilized which is not the case at all (unless of course you buy fertilized eggs to eat with which I say to each his own).
The ova drops down into the infundibulum a thin, funnel type structure that catches the ova when it is dropped from the hens ovary. If there was a rooster around and they mated, then this is where the egg would become fertilized; however, almost all commercial laying hen houses do not keep roosters anywhere near their farm in order to be sure they are producing infertile table eggs.
The ova then travels into the Magnum where the albumen (white of the egg) is created around the ova.
The albumen covered ova travels to the Isthmus where the shell membrane is created. The shell membrane is what keeps the egg together. If you see the shell peeled back and nothing is leaking...you will probably see a white colored thin structure...Thats the membrane.
It then travels into the Uterus where it spends most of its time (approximately 18-22 hours) creating the hard shell around the outside of the shell membrane.
After the Uterus, the finished egg travels to the Vagina where a bloom or a cuticle is put on the egg.
Lastly, the egg travels through the colon and out the vent. Many people are completely surprised when they realize the eggs they've been eating comes out of the same place the chickens feces do. Although I do not mean to scare anyone, this is the truth about nature.
However, as producers we do our best in the industry to increase the safety of food for consumers through special washing and regulations for producers.
An egg takes about a total of 24 hours.
It begins in the middle with a mature ova. This mature ova is a bright, yellow colored, soft ball of liquid... Sound familiar? Yes the ova or the hen's egg cell is the yolk you eat in eggs. Now after hearing this many get nervous thinking their yolk is fertilized which is not the case at all (unless of course you buy fertilized eggs to eat with which I say to each his own).
The ova drops down into the infundibulum a thin, funnel type structure that catches the ova when it is dropped from the hens ovary. If there was a rooster around and they mated, then this is where the egg would become fertilized; however, almost all commercial laying hen houses do not keep roosters anywhere near their farm in order to be sure they are producing infertile table eggs.
The ova then travels into the Magnum where the albumen (white of the egg) is created around the ova.
The albumen covered ova travels to the Isthmus where the shell membrane is created. The shell membrane is what keeps the egg together. If you see the shell peeled back and nothing is leaking...you will probably see a white colored thin structure...Thats the membrane.
It then travels into the Uterus where it spends most of its time (approximately 18-22 hours) creating the hard shell around the outside of the shell membrane.
After the Uterus, the finished egg travels to the Vagina where a bloom or a cuticle is put on the egg.
Lastly, the egg travels through the colon and out the vent. Many people are completely surprised when they realize the eggs they've been eating comes out of the same place the chickens feces do. Although I do not mean to scare anyone, this is the truth about nature.
However, as producers we do our best in the industry to increase the safety of food for consumers through special washing and regulations for producers.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
The Egg: One of God's Amazing Creations
Look in the fridge of almost every American home and you will find what I believe to be one of nature's greatest miracles; Eggs.
It occurred to me today how much we consumers may not understand how our food is created and why it has certain characteristics. This came to me after a few minutes of hearing some friends laugh at another when I began "explaining" in a very condensed version the complexities of The Egg.
(Funny how we can get an idea of the publics' general consensus with a few shop boys ☺ )
Point is:
I decided that we would look at the way an egg is produced, the anatomy of an egg, and some housing and environments provided to consumers through the next few posts.
P.S. Just wanted to give a shout out to my first follower, Stefani!!!! Thanks girl!!
It occurred to me today how much we consumers may not understand how our food is created and why it has certain characteristics. This came to me after a few minutes of hearing some friends laugh at another when I began "explaining" in a very condensed version the complexities of The Egg.
(Funny how we can get an idea of the publics' general consensus with a few shop boys ☺ )
Point is:
Many times consumers do not understand what an egg even is!
I decided that we would look at the way an egg is produced, the anatomy of an egg, and some housing and environments provided to consumers through the next few posts.
P.S. Just wanted to give a shout out to my first follower, Stefani!!!! Thanks girl!!
Sunday, October 31, 2010
A little more Background
Many people struggle with agriculture due to the fact that they believe most agriculturalists do not see their viewpoints. They might see them as "rednecks" out in the backwoods who are uneducated or unworldly enough to understand their views. With this blog, I will be doing my best to change this misnomer. In order to properly do this, I feel a background of myself is necessary.
I was born and lived in Sacramento, CA for 12 years. After this time I moved to a small town in the beautiful hills of California where I became deeply involved in agriculture and the FFA. I realized in these few years that it was a true passion of mine. What other industry affects EVERY single person EVERY single day?? This inspired me to continue my education as an Agriculture Business major with hopes of running and managing an agriculture business someday.
My life has been full of changes. Although I have always wished to be the farmer's daughter born and raised on a ranch in the foothills of California, this was not the case; however, looking back I wouldn't have wanted it any other way. I have lived in both urban and rural areas, have heard both liberal and conservative views, have raised poultry, sheep, and rabbits, and have met many individuals tied to agriculture.
This blog is my hope to reach those who do not have the opportunity I have been blessed with. I would love to share my experiences and values that I also believe the industry shares with me that many do not get to see.
I was born and lived in Sacramento, CA for 12 years. After this time I moved to a small town in the beautiful hills of California where I became deeply involved in agriculture and the FFA. I realized in these few years that it was a true passion of mine. What other industry affects EVERY single person EVERY single day?? This inspired me to continue my education as an Agriculture Business major with hopes of running and managing an agriculture business someday.
My life has been full of changes. Although I have always wished to be the farmer's daughter born and raised on a ranch in the foothills of California, this was not the case; however, looking back I wouldn't have wanted it any other way. I have lived in both urban and rural areas, have heard both liberal and conservative views, have raised poultry, sheep, and rabbits, and have met many individuals tied to agriculture.
This blog is my hope to reach those who do not have the opportunity I have been blessed with. I would love to share my experiences and values that I also believe the industry shares with me that many do not get to see.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)