Have you ever noticed, when you buy eggs in the supermarket, that they have a numerical code printed on the shell? Basically it serves to be able to track and control where that egg comes from.
But small differences in the code make big differences to the lives of the hens that lay them: the kind of freedom they enjoy.
To find out about everything related to the origin of the eggs you eat, we recommend you read this new article on our site about the code in chicken eggs and their meaning.
What does the code printed on the shell of chicken eggs tell us?
Not only does the egg carton packaging contain information on expiration, the size of the eggs and how to keep them, among other specifications, but the egg itself offers us with a code more information than we can believe.
The code that we see on the surface of the egg consists of numbers and letters The stamping of this code must be done with red food ink according to European regulations. In addition, it is also written in the regulations of the European Union, that the code printed on the eggs must also be seen on the packaging. This is to make it easier for consumers to access this information without having to open the box.
This code was created in order to follow the trail of the egg from the farm to the store where it will be soldIn it, the hen breeding system is indicated with a number between 0 and 3, therefore this number is the one that indicates the living conditions of the hen that has laid that egg and perhaps it is the one that may interest us the most. the consumers. Then we find with two letters the code that indicates the country of origin, which is followed by more numbers which collect the information of the city and the farm of origin.
The laying hen rearing system
As we have indicated before, the first number of the code that we find on the shell of the egg tells us what the hen-rearing system is on the farm from which the egg comes. With this we find out the life that these hens have and even what food they eatAs we have said before, the numbers go from 0 to 3 and mean the following:
3. Egg from hens raised in cages. These hens live their entire lives in cages and without leaving them. With just a tiny space of, by regulation, 750 cm2. This space translates to more than just a regular A4 size sheet of paper which is 627cm2. Always in closed industrial buildings and without seeing the sun. It is obvious that this type of life is highly detrimental to the he alth of the hen, which leads us to the conclusion that the real quality of the egg will be lower due to the stress, pain and possible diseases that the birds that live in these areas may suffer. conditions.
two. Eggs from hens raised on the ground. This case improves the situation of the previous one a little, since the hens do not live in cages and live in large buildings. But these industrial buildings are closed, from which they never leave and never see the light of the sun. In addition, so many specimens live in this space that they can barely move. In fact, the average density per square meter is 12 hens per m2. Again it is obvious that the state of life of these hens is under continuous stress and therefore, with he alth problems that can easily appear after stress and injuries that can be inflicted on each other due to it. Thus, it is questionable whether the quality of the eggs obtained is really the best.
1. Free-range eggs. This case may be similar to the previous one, but the animals do have access to the outside. Therefore more space, access to fresh air and sunlight. We can deduce that with this somewhat more significant improvement than the previous one, the hens can enjoy a somewhat more natural life. So, in principle, they should suffer less stress and he alth problems, and their eggs are he althier.
0. Egg from organic chickens. These hens are raised outdoors and with organic food and not with prefabricated feed. They continue to have large closed areas, like the previous cases, in which to enter to take shelter, but with the great difference that they are not forced to remain locked up there forever. In addition, all the food they consume is from organic farming. We can therefore think that these birds will be he althier in various aspects than those found in the situations mentioned above. Therefore, your eggs will surely be the he althiest and best.
What type of egg are you going to choose?
This is of course your decision, but from our site we want to encourage animal welfare and respect, therefore we will opt for the eggs coded 0 or 1.
We must comment that the more natural and he althy their lifestyle is for the birds, the more the effect produced by the consumption of that egg will also be for us. Organic eggs, in addition to having all the most natural components, greatly restrict medications, especially antibiotics, and therefore we will be consuming fewer chemicals and medications indirectly than in the case of eggs from intensive industry. It also turns out to be a more expensive process and maintenance than the industrial one and therefore it is appreciated in the prices of eggs in supermarkets.
Did you know the meaning of this code before reading this article? What is your opinion? What numbering are you going to choose from now on and why? Dare to comment all this and what you consider necessary, we are very interested in knowing what you think and answering any questions you may have.
