How is Certified Humane cage-free different than the eggs the University currently uses?
Over 90% of the eggs the University currently uses come from Michael Foods.3 Michael Foods does not even meet the minimal requirements of the United Egg Producers (UEP) certification that over 80% of battery cage facilities meet.4 In UEP certified facilities, the hens are given only 67 square inches per bird; a sheet of paper is 93.5 square inches.5 This space is so small that the birds do not have room to stretch their wings, move freely, groom, or perform other natural behaviors. The birds are not given perches or nesting material and spend their entire lives on barren wire cage floors. In Certified Humane facilities, the hens are given perches, nesting areas, and litter to dust bathe in. In a multi-tier facilities where 55% of hens can perch over a waste droppings pit or conveyor belt, each bird must be given at least 144 square inches of available space. In a facility without segregated perches, each bird must be given 216 square inches of space. Whereas in most battery cage facili
