Sunny Queen Eggs make a mockery of hen suffering

Comment added!

Just wish I didn't have to *like* their campaign to do that... feel so ... dirty.

I hate those little smiles on their eggs. I also hate having to 'like' things which I DON'T (on fb) to be able to comment!!

Sunny Queen has started deleting comments challenging them on their use of cage eggs.

Fortunately, with 43,000+ fans, plenty of people are getting to see the comments before they are taken down.

Ooo! My latest comment hasn't been deleted for SIX WHOLE MINUTES!  

next monday i will begin the spam

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Sunny Queen Eggs are always making a mockery of hen suffering.
I sussed out there website once when my 'Omnivore' sister bought their cage free eggs, instead of caged eggs, to make me happy.
On their website it says their 'cage free' chickens can enjoy natural light and fresh air, whilst still being protected from external predators and extreme weather conditions ....

Hmmm so they are still in a cage... where they can not dust bathe, they can not spread their wings and they can not live a normal life.

Pfft protecting them from predators... sure protecting the precious money making eggs more to the point.

I bought their eggs because I thought the huge lettering on the pack saying 'free range' actually meant that - silly me!  I had a look at their web site and their 'Eggumentary' (http://www.sunnyqueen.com.au/chooktracker/#eggumentary) which shows heaps of very healthy looking chickens running around in the sun.  Looking at their product site (http://www.sunnyqueen.com.au/products/), they have a range of eggs from barn to cage free to RSPCA, etc.  

I checked the net searching for reports, comments, anything to say all is not what it appears to be.  I found lots of praise and only 2 criticisms - on this web site and on the Shop Ethical web site (http://guide.ethical.org.au).  They have 5 listings for Sunny Queen Eggs, all with the criticism of factory farming.  However 2 of these listings have the green star of 'outstanding product', being for Free Range Egg Farmers eggs and McLean's Run eggs.

The ethical shop people say Sunny Queen produce factory farm eggs but at the same time SOME of their eggs are used for an outstanding product.  Sunny Queen are saying their chickens are treated humanely and are truly free range.

So what do we make of all this?  Who do we believe?  

Labelling - "There is currently uncertainty about the description of production systems on labels, particularly in relation to the use of “free range”. Different jurisdictions in Australia have, or are now considering, the introduction of labelling regulations whereas other States and Territories have none. There are numerous differing voluntary standards applied within the industry. Until there is greater certainty and consistency in labelling requirements, AECL is unable to provide guidance in this area." - Aust. Egg Corp. Egg Labelling Guide

My suggestions -
1 - look at http://www.makeitpossible.com/guides/egg-labels.php

2 - download the labelling/shop guide - http://animalwelfarelabels.org.au/index.php/download-guides

3 - forget all of the above and just don't eat eggs.

Cheers, Sue