why vegetarians should not eat eggs!!!

I just read on www.goveg.com that chickens farmed for laying eggs are kept in crates stacked atop one another. They live in feces and disease. when they can't lay anymore, they are often so beaten up that they are ground into cat food.

Their male offspring are often ground up alive or suffocated.

WHY?????

I wish I could go vegan, but I still live at home and vegetarian is the best I can do for now. My mom REFUSES to buy soy milk (c'mon, it doesn't smell that bad ):..) and I need the eggs and milk for any bit of protein I can get. I still eat it sparingly, though, as I still don't like the chemicals and such used.

I do feel bad, but really, I'm not going to risk my own health for it. I'm not saying this goes for everyone, given my situation, but I'm just giving you an example of how it's just inconvenient for some people. I'm glad you shared the information, though, knowledge is power!

I live in a farming community and have even had chickens and none of ours were ever treated like this.  Im not saying it doesn't happen, but just that I've never witnessed it.  Most people around here have a few chickens they let run loose or in large pens with a coop. It is possible to spend a little more and buy "free range" eggs.  They are healthy and they taste better anyway.  Another benefit to free range eggs or organic eggs is that most of them will say they are free from antibiotics and all that other good garbage in regular eggs. 

you're still eating a chickens menstruation, free range or not.

I'm vegetarian, and I dislike eating eggs or dairy, for that matter, but when I was vegan I got very ill with anemia and it wasn't because my diet was poor; it just didn't work for me.

I feel horrible about it be/c, morally, I agree with the vegan ethic. I eat eggs as little as possible, but I still eat them.

no need to be rude veganlady I was merely posting other alternatives to those who may want eggs as a part of their diet.  sheesh.  I respect vegans and vegetarians right to choose what they wish and I don't think its necessary to be rude to make a point or share information.  I am a vegetarian but I do eat eggs and I also am prone to anemia and a vegan diet does not make me feel healthy.  To each their own. 

If factory farming is a concern for you, buy local dairy/eggs.  We have many small farmers who bring fresh milk, cheeses and eggs to our local farmers' markets.  Although there are many different farming methods, typically small farmers do not have the resources for the intense factory egg production that you're describing.

ohhhh no! i wasn't trying to be rude! just stating something on the topic of eggs is all.

The dairy industry is absolutely horrific.   I have quit eating any eggs, and have even starting using egg replacers for baking. 

VeganLady, I dont think you were being rude at all.  :)

I'm a vegeterian and I don't eat eggs. Well, I'll eat something if I don't realize there's eggs in it, like cakes and bread pudding and stuff like that. I can't bring myself to eat something like an omelet where the egg is just obvious. I wish I could say that I don't eat eggs totally, but I could never give up bakery and recipes that require egg ..:]

Be careful with "free range" eggs.  Legally speaking, the chickens only have to be kept in crates with the door their pen open at least an hour a day to be considered "free range."  Most of the chickens are so weak/ill at this point that they don't even move to go outside for that hour.  Just be aware of what you're spending your money on.  It might be best to buy from a local farm where you know the people or research the company online first.

Generally speaking - all big factory farms are evil, no matter how warm and fuzzy they may want to appear.

A little hard to give up a reasonable source of protein, however, what alternatives do you suggest?  I find it hard to get enough protein without some egg whites and would love to hear some suggestions.

Beans.  Lentils.  Nuts.  Whole grains like brown rice, whole wheat, and quinoa.  Yogurt and dairy (if you eat lacto).  It is surprisingly easy to get protein and you really don't need that much anyway, about 1/2 a gram for every pound of your body weight.  I hardly even eat much dairy anymore and I have no problem meeting my protein requirements.

I've found that tofu is a lot like the consistency of egg whites.

I scramble it up in the morning with some peppers, onions, and a little vegan margarine or evoo and put it between 2 pieces of whole wheat toast for a great breakfast sandwich, full of protein and no chicken products!

Factory farming is as worse than anything you can imagine. Because chickens are squeezed in together for maximum profit, their beaks are cut off so they won't peck themselves or each other!

If you still want to eat chicken, buy organic, free range "happy meat." It's out there and becoming more and more accessible.

Thanks for the suggestions.  I use all of those including tempeh, sietan (seitan?), etc.  Thought there might have been something I missed.  Guess I'll have to raise my own chickens again, so I'll know they're loved.

How horrible, I was never an egg addict to begin with.

i need the eggs for protein so i have chickens and eat their eggs. i love goveg.com, though! even though it's upsetting it's an awesome resource

You are correct,  factory chickens that produce your eggs are treated horrifically.

I am a small farmer,  and do have chickens.  Try to find a farmer in your area that sells eggs.  Small farmers have their chickens running free,  eating bugs and doing what ever it is that chickens do all day (mine like to dust bath and chase bugs alot)  You can find a smaller farmer by calling your local feed store,  they know who is buying chicken food.

The "free range" eggs at the stores are typically a joke.  They are kept in huge building (20,000+ chickens) and never see the outside,  all free range means is they are not in cages.

And there are many vegetables that have protein,  you do not have to eat eggs that have come from cruelty raised chickens.     Keep eating eggs, but try to find ones not raised cruelty.  www.weightlossforall.com/protein-vegetable.ht m has a list of vegetables that have protein.

good luck

Great list, alanamil, I have book marked it for future reference! thanks! I also will scramble tofu with a little cheese (I'm Lacto-ovo) and put it on whole wheat toast for breakfast on Sundays. When I do eat eags, I get them at the farmer's market from a guy who just has a few chickens. He usually only has two or three dozen, so I have to get there early. I drove by his farm once and the chickens were definately "free range", one was sitting on the tractor seat, which I got a pretty awesome picture of! I sent it to Jones Cola hoping they's throw it on a bottle but, alas, my dream has yet to be realized. 

I think it would be better if you raise your own chickens, treat them nice and eat their eggs.  It is wrong to tell people not to eat eggs.   Just don't eat the ones that come from that farm.  It is pretty easy to do nothing, you should try to do something intead, and do it right!