California Legislation is Changing the Way Egg Producing Chickens Live

In 2008, CA voters passed an initiative (with 60% of the vote) which now (starting yesterday, January 1, 2015) requires all eggs sold in the state to meet new measures. The regulation, Proposition 2, requires that all eggs come from chickens who have enough room to fully extend their wings and to turn around freely. According to animal scientists at UC Davis, this means that each chicken is entitled to 116 square inches of floor space (I believe that’s at least double the amount they had).

Obviously, egg produces are less than thrilled. Even though they’ve had 6 years to prepare for the regulation, some producers have decided to fight the rules rather than adapt to them. There are currently two lawsuits being appealed and there are two that have already been struck down.

In comparison, other produces have embraced the new regulations and are prepared for the change. They have worked to develop new cages that have stoops, and others have completely gotten rid of their cages and built multi-level stoops on the walls of the barns so that the chickens can fly (whether or not that’s good, I’m not sure). From what I’ve read about chicken production, having large numbers of chickens in close proximity to one another without cages can be quite harmful to the chicken. Because they’re in enclosed spaces the chickens become aggressive and peck at one another. But maybe that will be reduced by the increase in free space. Either way, I’m sure we’ll hear about the statistics shortly.

Other farmers have adjusted by reducing their chickens by half, so that they do not have to adjust the cages that they currently use. This obviously causes some logistical issues. Fewer chickens means fewer eggs are making it to California grocery stores; which, in turn, has brought on an increase in egg prices (ranging from 35 – 70% increases).

The plus side of all of this is that:

• Chickens (who lay eggs) are being treated better;
• California consumers are concerned about how their food is treated;
• Maybe this will be the first of other regulations to provide more humane habitats to animals;
• California will hopefully be a model for other states to implement similar regulations; and
• Even if the regulation isn’t successful (for whatever reason) it will serve as a learning point for the future.

The LA times has obviously been following Proposition 2’s progress and recently released an article (listed as written by the LA Times Editorial Board) in which a statement is made that I hope will eventually reflect the overall thought process of Americans:

“Just because they [animals] are certain to end up on a dinner plate or in a bard producing eggs or milk doesn’t obviate the need to treat them humanely during their short lives.”