The choice between chickens and eggs produced by an intensive industrial system and those from a rural farm is a topic that can trigger as heated debates as a Sunday football match. On the one hand, we have the intensive industrial system, which could be compared to a chicken factory where the animals at the end of the growing process look like commuters on the underground at 8 am. Except that they are animals that like to be right next to each other. This is also confirmed by those chickens that stay outdoors. However, this system is often criticised by those who do not know its actual dynamics, accusing it of animal living conditions and environmental impact, concerns for animal welfare, and risks to human health due to the use of antibiotics and hormones.
On the other hand, the rural farm is experienced as the poultry boutique, where each chicken has its own name and probably a more developed personality than some reality show characters. Here, the animals live in larger spaces and conditions that many would describe as ‘more natural’. However, this choice can mean a higher price at the supermarket, making your wallet jolt more than a cat on a cucumber.
Now, why would anyone prefer the products of an intensive industrial system? Well, proponents of this method might point out the greater efficiency and productivity, which translates into lower costs for the consumer, constant availability of produce and greater sustainability. It is a bit like having Netflix versus DVD rental; convenience plays a key role.
In the end, the choice depends on personal values, budget and product availability. Some might opt for ‘industrial’ chicken to save a few euros, while others might choose to spend more to support agricultural practices considered more animal-friendly. It is a decision that can be more complicated than an episode of ‘Game of Thrones’.
However, it remains that whatever decision we consumers make contains a piece of hypocrisy because chicken, no matter what hotel it spends its ripening time in, will still arrive on our tables.
So the next time you are faced with the choice between an intensively farmed chicken and a rural one, remember that it is not just a matter of taste, but also of conscious ethics, sustainable economics and the environment. And if all this seems too much, you could always consider vegetarianism, which is a bit like cheering for the referee: an unusual choice, but certainly less controversial.
The editorial staff of M.A.C.
