Non-profit organization Asahi and bakery Boulangerie Mike are cage-free

In response to an inquiry from Animal Rights Center Japan, a non-profit organization Asahi in Hokuto City, Yamanashi Prefecture, responded that all the eggs they use are already cage free and that they would support the cage-free declaration.

This is a social welfare corporation that provides employment support for persons with disabilities. They also sell bread and cakes made from cage-free eggs.

The owner says,

Cage-free rearing was started 40 years ago by the person who first started the company. I think it’s a pity to keep chickens in cages.　Cage-free rearing is more fun than cage rearing and the chickens are cute.

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In response to an inquiry from Animal Rights Center Japan, Boulangerie Mike in Izumo City, Shimane Prefecture, responded that all the eggs they use are already cage free and that they would support the cage-free declaration.

The owner said,

The reason for using cage-free eggs is that they taste good and are safe and secure. After all, I think it is not good to keep them in small spaces because it is easier to get sick. It’s not limited to eggs, but I think it’s not good that Japanese people don’t know how animals are raised.

Both businesses kindly agreed to declare cage free.  Cage rearing literally involves stuffing chickens in tiny cages, so the chickens feel stressed because they are stuck in places where they can’t even stretch their wings until they die.

It is the duty of us human beings, who are the same creatures but socially strong, to make animal-friendly choices.

What is cage rearing?

In cage rearing, which is the common rearing method for eggs in Japan, chickens are placed in cages and are overcrowded in order to prioritize productivity.

As a result, chickens are susceptible to illness due to lack of exercise, and drugs are used to prevent the spread of illness.

In Japan, over 90% of the farms use battery cage rearing.

It’s misleading to say that that’s healthy, and it’s definitely not natural.

Caged chickens

On the other hand, there do exist a few cage-free egg farms, which allow chickens to roam.

Cage-free rearing  (not the farm used by the featured businesses, another cage-free farm.)

Cage rearing is being abolished all over the world, but Japan’s animal welfare is currently far behind.

A simple thing we can do to reduce the number of hens who continue getting exploited in their cages and go through life immobilized is for the consumers to stop buying cage-reared eggs and eliminate your egg consumption.

People who become aware of the actual situations and make humane and ethical choices today are what will lead to a sustainable future.

Click here for a list of other cage-free companies and shops