Why vegans choose not to consume eggs

Many of us grew up thinking that there is nothing wrong with eating chicken eggs - no animals suffer, no animals die. However, unfortunately this is not the case; neither of these things is actually true. Due to some high profile investigations and news reports, people are now aware of the horrors of factory farming and the plight of caged chickens. However, there are also serious problems with "free-range" egg production.

Here are some facts about the egg industry:
1. Regardless of whether they are born into a free-range or factory environment, male chicks are killed when they are about a day old, by maceration (i.e. being ground up while they are still alive) or by gassing. Vast numbers of male chicks are killed in the egg industry every year.
2. Most free-range chickens live their lives inside, in large barns, in overpopulated conditions. Under the current legislation, up to nine chickens can occupy a square metre of floor space. Although access to the outdoors must be provided, in reality, in confined and overpopulated spaces, most chickens do not manage to get outside at all. Many supposedly "happy" chickens are in reality far from happy; this report by Viva highlights some truly shocking conditions at free-range farms.
3. Whether free-range or factory-farmed, chickens are not able to live their lives as they would naturally do - foraging, building nests, and so on. They are intelligent, emotional creatures and farming causes them great stress. Many chickens develop health problems.
4. Chickens have been bred to produce many more eggs (c. 200-350 per year) than is natural (more like 10-12 per year). This puts a huge strain on their bodies.
5. Over 50% of eggs produced today still come from chickens in cages (source: RSPCA) - these are used for ready made cakes, sandwiches, and other products.
6. It is still standard practice in the UK for farmed chickens to have part of their beak removed at a young age. This is a painful process and is actually illegal in many European countries.

In respect of backyard chickens, vegans would choose not to eat their eggs because chickens become distressed at the loss of their eggs (reported here). Some chickens may wish to eat their own unfertilised eggs for the nutrients they contain. Ultimately, vegans believe that animals should not be used and commoditised for the benefit of humans when this is entirely unnecessary. There are many easy ways to replace eggs in cooking, as explained here.

This video sums up some key information about the egg industry:

All living creatures deserve freedom: