Cage free eggs....

markinmichigan

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Well Michigan is now one of 10 states that require hens that hatch eggs to be "cage free". What a bunch of horse feathers. Egg prices have doubled since the first of the year, with inflation killing our pay checks, investments and savings, WHY would "our" government hit us with this massive hammer? I looked it up and it's just stupid, the amount of hard money that is given out to farmers and agro businesses . The Department of Agriculture's budget was almost $327 billion in 2024.

Further investigation shows subsidies to livestock operators does not include those paid to farmers who grow animal feed like corn and soybeans, topped $160 BILLION between 2019 and 2023. NOT INCLUDED is $670 million in research grants. That's a lot of meat.

At a time when deficit reduction and federal spending loom so large in America, this kind of ridiculous corporate socialism, or agricultural welfare, should be the first to go on the chopping block.

Rant over, I'd like mine over easy.

Mark in Michigan
 
Wasn't the rise in eggs the result of massive amount of bird flu cases usually caused by poultry crammed into huge barns. Cage free- or free-range hens have less of a chance of getting this disease and it takes more steps to harvest the eggs. Heck, I don't know, just what I have heard.
 
According to ChatGPT:

Cage-free chickens are generally more susceptible to contracting bird flu (avian influenza) compared to caged chickens. Here's why:


Why Cage-Free Chickens Are More Vulnerable

  1. Increased Mobility and Interaction:
    • Cage-free chickens move around freely and interact more with each other, increasing the chances of disease transmission if one bird is infected.
  2. Exposure to Feces and Contaminants:
    • In cage-free environments, chickens may come into more contact with contaminated surfaces, bedding, or feces, where the bird flu virus can survive.
  3. Access to Outdoor Areas (in Some Systems):
    • In some cage-free or free-range systems, chickens may have outdoor access, increasing their exposure to wild birds, which are primary carriers of bird flu.
  4. Larger Flock Sizes:
    • Cage-free systems often house larger groups of birds in a shared space, creating an environment where diseases can spread more rapidly compared to individually caged systems.
 
According to Microsoft Copilot AI...

Cage-free chickens are generally not more susceptible to contracting bird flu compared to caged chickens. The primary factor is exposure to wild birds, which can carry the virus. While outdoor or free-range chickens might have a higher risk due to their environment, most commercial cage-free operations keep their chickens indoors, similar to caged systems.
 
My search with Copilot AI

which chicken would get bird flu faster cage free or caged
Great question! Generally, cage-free chickens are more susceptible to bird flu compared to caged chickens. This is because cage-free chickens often have more opportunities to come into contact with wild birds and their droppings, which can carry the virus1. However, it's important to note that both systems have their own risks and benefits.
Do you have any other questions about poultry farming or bird flu?


which chicken would be more susceptible to bird flu caged or not caged
Both caged and cage-free chickens can be susceptible to bird flu, but cage-free chickens generally have a higher risk. This is because cage-free chickens often have more exposure to potential sources of the virus, such as wild birds and their droppings. However, it's important to note that both housing systems can have their own challenges and risks.
 
I go to a local egg farm and they run $3.50 doz. Only free range around here are private citizens chickens and a few at the
Grocery
 
It looks like the main contributor to exposure is wild birds and their droppings. As such, exposure to that would minimal, provided that the chickens are enclosed (caged or not).
 
In my mind, it is not as important to determine which environment (caged or cage free) is more conducive to infect the "first" chicken, as it is to determine which environment is more conducive to having the "first" chicken pass the infection to others and so on.
 
I go to a local egg farm and they run $3.50 doz. Only free range around here are private citizens chickens and a few at the Grocery
That's the best place to buy eggs. Yesterday at Kroger's, they were completely sold out of extra large and large eggs at @ $4.99 and $4.59 respectfully. Today no extra large but large for $3.99.

We need relief from these crazy high prices. My sons have become used to it as the norm, but I think the on going government subsidizing has too far. Big Ag needs to put in check.

Feeling grouchy today. Better check my manpon.

Mark in Michigan
 
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It's also winter which might affect prices. My chickens were molting so they've slowed down on laying. Only get 1 egg every 2-3 days out of 6 chickens.
 
Government mandates and regulations, although initially well intended, often have obtuse and derisive alternate outcomes, like the ban on catching rain water in the west, or banning wood fired ovens in New York...
 
I’ve raised chickens for 25 years, and got it down way back so that egg sales pay for feed and still keep my family in plenty of eggs. I’ve dealt with varmints from fox, to raccoon, to mink. I used to let them free range but hawks would pick them off routinely. IMO they are one of the easiest to care for along with rabbits. Now I’m down to one rooster, the most tame bird I’ve ever had. Not sure if I’ll continue this year with layers, but if I do I’m getting grown hens, not chicks. No waiting on chicks to grow and the initial feed costs are built in. Layers average about $20-$25 here.
 
I was watching the news this morning and they were talking about higher prices and a guy from California said he paid $14 for an 18-egg carton. That is so wrong in so many ways.:madmad::madmad:
 
I don’t have any chickens now but will be getting some in the spring. Letting them out to eat bugs (including ticks) gives the eggs so much more flavor you won’t want store bought ones except for baking. When I had them In the past they would follow me around while doing chores and I’d flip over boards etc for them to find bugs. In the evening they’d go back in their coop and I’d shut the door.
 
I was watching the news this morning and they were talking about higher prices and a guy from California said he paid $14 for an 18-egg carton. That is so wrong in so many ways.:madmad::madmad:
Real it's getting expensive, some trader joes here don't even have eggs at all!
 
I don’t have any chickens now but will be getting some in the spring. Letting them out to eat bugs (including ticks) gives the eggs so much more flavor you won’t want store bought ones except for baking. When I had them In the past they would follow me around while doing chores and I’d flip over boards etc for them to find bugs. In the evening they’d go back in their coop and I’d shut the door.
I'm trying to build a black soldier fly larvae box for my chickens, but since it's cold there aren't any to be found at the moment. Not sure if it'll work as I just replicated a design I saw on the internet, but we'll see.
 
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