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That dedication translates to all of their consumers, which is
another reason
Willamette Egg Farms has remained so strong. “We have
always tried to give the consumer what they want,” says Satrum. In
the early 1950s, egg producers began using caged houses for their
hens. When caged houses entered into the scene and replaced the
traditional free range environment, farmers quickly noticed a
positive change in the health of the birds and the amount of eggs
they produced. Satrum explains, “Back then, animal welfare simply
meant low mortality and high production, so cages were a tremendous
improvement for hen welfare. The evolving definitions of animal
welfare and consumer preferences are something we will always have
to adapt to.” Cage-free egg production mostly dropped off the radar
from the 1950s to the mid-1990s.
Much of the discussion surrounding animal welfare today has to do
with the ability of the hens to partake in “natural behaviors.” Some
natural behaviors for hens include perching, nesting, scratching,
and dust bathing. The debate about animal welfare really heated up
in the late 1990s when the European Union decided to ban
conventional cages altogether. This ban is scheduled to be enforced
in 2012, leaving egg producers in Europe
just two more years to completely change farming practices. So far a
nation-wide ban in conventional cages has not been proposed in the United States,
but some states are beginning to pass measures which could make
current hen housing systems illegal.
When consumers go to the store, they are inundated with choices—from
cage-free to free range to hormone free, these terms can become
confusing. Breaking down these terms and mapping out all of the
different ways laying hens can be kept can also be overwhelming—both
for consumers as well as egg producers.
The use of hormones and antibiotics is often a concern among
consumers. “Hormones are not used and antibiotic use is rare on
modern egg farms,” says Satrum. “When the birds are clean and
healthy, there is just no need to use antibiotics. Growth hormones
have never been used in egg producing hens as far as I know.” There
are a number of misperceptions and myths surrounding modern farming
and egg production.
The different ways in which hens are kept goes beyond just caged and
cage-free, as consumers are well aware. Other forms of housing
include “aviary systems,” “enriched colony systems,” and “free
range.” Egg producers are working together to test out the different
ways farmers can raise hens and, with the help of scientific
researchers, are trying to figure out which systems are best for
both hens and farmers.
One big issue farmers face when trying to raise hens in large groups
such as in cage-free and free range environments is the
establishment of pecking orders. When hens are placed in small
groups, it is easier for them to establish their pecking order and
understand their role. When the group becomes too large, it is often
hard to establish concrete roles among the birds which can lead to
an increase in aggression. One way in which egg farmers are trying
to curb the aggression found among hens is to study genetics and
breeding. “The study of genetics has led to better behaved hens,”
says Satrum. “When the hens are better behaved, they can more easily
be placed in larger groups.”
The term free range has been used heavily among consumers and
producers, but this term can be confusing and misleading. Free range
hens can be defined as such as long as they have some access to
areas outside of the hen house at some point in the day. Large
groups of hens that live completely outside beyond any form of
protection are prone to predatory animals and diseases. There are
other issues surrounding free range hens such as the collection and
removal of waste and water quality. There are actually very few
commercial free range hens due to the inability to properly control
and maintain the health of both the birds and the surrounding
environment.
One of the newer systems that is currently being tested is called
the enriched colony system. This system is technically a caged
system but the pens are much larger than conventional cages,
measuring 4 ft. by 12 ft. There are rails that can be used for
perching, a mat for the birds to scratch on, and private nesting
areas. The enriched colony system is designed to give birds the
opportunity to behave naturally while allowing farmers the
opportunity to keep their birds protected from natural predators and
diseases.
Willamette Egg Farms is dedicated to providing consumers the product
they desire, and because of this the farm uses different housing
systems for their hens. “Right now is a very experimental time in
the egg industry,” says Satrum. With around 30 lay houses containing
a little more than 2 million chickens,
Willamette Egg Farms produces
around 1.5 million eggs every day. That amount could almost feed the
greater Portland-metro area.
“Ninety-seven percent of consumers still purchase eggs from
conventionally caged hens,” says Satrum. Caged hens at Willamette
Egg Farms are meticulously cared for. All hens are lifted up and
away from any waste product, houses are amply ventilated so the air
quality remains clean and clear, and all birds are given free access
to food and water every day. But
Willamette Egg Farms employs other
housing systems as well, including aviary cage-free and floor
cage-free. The farm is currently converting three cage-free houses
to organic egg production. “Every system has positives and
negatives,” says Satrum. “We are trying to find the one with the
most positives and the least negatives.”
Willamette Egg Farms still provides Oregonians with fresh eggs and
egg products, but the company has expanded to supply areas outside
of the state as well. Eggs are being exported to
Washington, northern California, parts of Nevada,
Hawaii, and other states—as well as
internationally to areas such as Guam.
Since 1934, Willamette Egg Farms has been dedicated to providing
consumers with a quality product. Today they stand by that mission.
“Being a farmer is what I want to do,” says Satrum. By merging
production and research,
Willamette Egg Farms is at the forefront of
modern farming, making sure farming remains viable for years to
come.
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