Whole Foods says its eggs are from cage free hens but are they debeaked?

Question

And, just because they are no in a cage, how do we know they are not in some other cramped situation? Does anyone know what their policies are concerning this issue?

Answer 1

I find their policies to be very vague and arbitrary. For example, they don't sell live lobsters or foie gras but they do sell very tender, pale cuts of veal...and we all know how veal gets that way.

I think Whole Foods needs to decide if it wants to be a gourmet food market or a PC, cruelty-free market, because they can't have it both ways and are coming off as very schitzophrenic right now.

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

It's a possibility but not likely because there would be no need for it if the hens are actually in a free range environment. Hens aren't prone to fighting each other unless they are in extreme conditions. There really is no way to know for sure how they are kept unless you can visit the farm for yourself.

Answer 4

The below information is from their website. Connect to links to find out more.

Farm Animal and Meat Quality Standards
Whole Foods Market goes beyond what the U.S. Department of Agriculture requires for labeling meat or poultry as "natural" by strictly monitoring how the animals are raised and what the animals are fed. Our standards ensure that the meat and poultry we sell are:

Raised without added hormones or antibiotics.
Never fed animal by-products.
Raised by farmers and ranchers who care about the animals and the environment in which they live.
Closely monitored by Whole Foods Market from the farm to our stores to ensure compliance with our strict animal welfare and food safety quality standards. http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/issues/animalwelfare/index.html

Poultry
No antibiotics — ever
No animal byproducts in feed
No beak trimming for broiler chickens and game hens
* Appropriate beak trimming for turkeys allowed when necessary
Appropriate litter provided for comfort and to satisfy natural foraging instincts
http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/products/meat-poultry/qualitystandards.html

Answer 5

Whole foods just bought their biggest competitor, Wild Oats. They are doing just fine. Sell pale veal. Sell free-range, beaked chickens. OOH, I think they sell milk. Bastards!!!! Like any place of business, you vote w/ your dollars. If you find Whole Foods' policies un-savory, simply shop somewhere else. More veal for me...

Answer 6

Speaking of dumb as a stump, I think 2nd son of satan meant 'they're' rather than 'their'? Chickens are actually very intelligent. I raised them myself most of my life. Perhaps you need a certain amount of intelligence yourself to recognize the intelligence in another species. I'm afraid this doesn't answer your question but I had to write something.
http://www.chickenindustry.com/cfi/intelligence/

Answer 7

They are NOT debeaked.How do you expect they would eat and grow.
Cage free means just that.They are not in cages and are free to roam.Lots of them are raised outdoors in good weather.