The Vegan View

If we were to raise our own hen and ate the eggs is that okay?

VegFamily readers reply:

Article continues below

Jack:
Well, you could raise them to be without hormones and chemicals. But, this is not good enough. Eggs are full of cholesterol and are animal products. Animal products have been shown to contribute to 170 different diseases including cancer, heart disease, strokes, and diabetes.

Frances:
Even a happy free-range hen will herself have been hatched. She will have had cockerel brothers who will have all been destroyed by gassing.

Stephanie:
Since finding out that about 1/4 of the sugar in the US is processed using bone char, I was wondering how you know you are eating 100% vegan when something most people wouldn't have thought was questionably vegan, apparently is? I'm sure there are other foods you wouldn't expect as well. Also, not just food, but products could be processed using animal byproducts, and we may not even know it.

Tara:
This is a touchy subject for sure. Many vegans are extremely opposed to eggs no matter WHERE they come from. From a health perspective, eggs have a very high amount of cholesterol, so if you're concerned about that, keep it in mind. We have chickens. We have 5 hens that we acquired before I became a vegan and we proudly treat them as pets. But they are completely free of oppression. They have a safe, warm shelter with plenty of food and fresh water and a cozy nesting box. They also have a secondary emergency shelter which we keep for them because they are completely free range chickens. Their coop is never closed and they roam around our property at their will. They face predators, and over the years, we have lost a few to hawks, neighbor dogs and a raccoon. But they are happy little chickens. And my family loves their eggs. They are the best eggs we've ever had. We know it's because they have a natural diet, only enhanced by the organic grain they get from us. I use them to barter with friends for things like homemade jams and knitted hats. But I rarely, if ever, eat their eggs. In 2 years, I've eaten 4 eggs. I don't feel guilty about it. It's my only vegan 'cheat'. But there are plenty of vegans who will tell you never to eat anything from an animal, but you have to make the choice for yourself.

Micah:
This coming from a pescetarian considering veganism, I've noticed two fundamental purposes for making the life choice: The first is for health reasons and the second for ethical reasons. In considering the hen and egg predicament, I can see your concern is regarding ethics. My opinion on the matter is raising a hen for its eggs is a method of farming and is no different than farming bee hives for their honey. You should make your decision based on whether or not you find that ethical. Health-wise, eggs contain small amounts of saturated fat and larger amounts of animal protein, which may contribute to kidney stones over time.

Reggie:
No, because you are still using the animals for your benefit and exploiting them. Not to mention eggs are not healthy. Why would you want to eat the menstruation of a chicken? I know someone who rescued some chooks and when one lays her eggs, she gives them to her mom because she'd rather her mom have them than support the industry. You have to think about what's happening to the animals short and long term. Where does the chicken come from in the first place? Were her family members killed for being male, trapped in cages? Are they in their natural environment, able to roam and do whatever they want? What happens to them when they die? How do you replace them, the cycle goes on. The healthiest lifestyle is without the exploitation of other beings.

Jenica:
I think that if you want to have a chicken then you should. We all get to caught up in what everyone else's opinion of a Vegan is. I personally got tired of explaining that I eat honey and I just call myself a vegetarian now. I say do what makes you happy...

Cathy:
The main issue here in my opinion is, is it right to keep the chickens in the first place, I am sure that the vegan society as well as many vegans do not agree with owning pets, with the exception of rescue animals. There are too many dogs and cats being brought into this world because people want to make money selling them, they seem to have no concern for the thousands of rescue dogs that need homes and are just adding to these numbers. I know the question is about chickens, but all the same. I would say that maybe eating eggs from rescue chickens that you were looking after may be acceptable, but I personally wouldn't.

Alicia:
I believe that it's wrong, regardless - but if you're calling yourself a vegan, then YES, it's wrong. The only true kind of vegan is an ethical vegan (everyone else is just following a diet), & part of ethical veganism is avoiding any animal exploitation at all costs. This includes taking the eggs from the hen that you raised. It's a simple matter of definition: vegan = no animal products at all, ever. If you call yourself a vegan & then use an animal product, you're a) being hypocritical & b) sending those who don't know any better the wrong message. Actions like those are why some people think that vegetarians eat chicken & fish. All that said, if you're not vegan, it's really a matter of opinion as to whether it's wrong or not. Since everyone believes that their own opinion is right... yes, it's wrong to eat eggs from a hen that you've raised. I can say that with conviction because, well, I'm an ethical vegan!

Have a question you'd like to ask and get responses from the VegFamily community? Submit your question here.

Sponsors: