COK Exposes Maryland Egg Industry

In February 2005, COK investigators visited Maryland's three largest egg farms to document and expose the misery endured by millions of the state's egg-laying hens. With virtually no laws to protect them, these birds will spend their entire lives intensively confined in wire cages so small, they can't even spread their wings.They are denied individualized veterinary care, and many suffer from severe feather-loss as well as untreated illnesses or injuries. Needless to say, countless birds die in such debilitating conditions. COK takes you inside these factory farms to expose the cruelty that is standard business in the egg industry.

Animal Care Certified?

Two of the three farms visited by COK's investigators participate in the United Egg Producers' (UEP's) voluntary Animal Care Certified (ACC) program, yet, as you can see in the video and photo galleries below, conditions for the hens inside all three farms are strikingly similar.

Participation in this industry-devised program allows producers to use the ACC logo, which is currently stamped on egg cartons nationwide. However, in 2003, consumer protection giant the Better Business Bureau deemed the ACC logo misleading because it conveys to consumers a false message of humane animal care. Despite this ruling and the BBB's referral of the matter to the Federal Trade Commission for potential legal action against the UEP, the logo continues to be used. Learn more about COK's Animal Care Certified campaign.

Inside the Farms

Please visit our photo and video galleries below to tour Maryland's three largest egg farms through the eyes of our investigators.

Not an ACC Farm		ACC Farm		ACC Farm
Photo Gallery 2-Minute Slideshow		Photo Gallery 2-Minute Slideshow		Photo Gallery 2-Minute Slideshow

Watch the Video

View COK's 5-minute video revealing the miserable conditions for hens on all three Maryland egg farms. Please be patient, as the video may take a few minutes to download.

• Choose Egg-Free Foods: The best way each of us can help laying hens is to leave their eggs out of our shopping carts. Get free eggless recipes or order your free Vegetarian Starter Guide today!
  
  
• Write a Letter: Please urge your legislators to ban the use of barren battery cages. Welfare concerns have already prompted the European Union to phase out the use of conventional battery cages by 2012. The U.S. should do the same. Contact your representatives and let them know that it's time to ease the suffering of laying hens. Read COK's report, Animal Suffering in the Egg Industry, to learn more about the inherent cruelties of the battery cage system.
  
  
• Campaign Against Battery Eggs: Join the effort to get battery cage eggs off the shelves of grocery stores. Learn more about the Humane Society of the United States' No Battery Eggs Campaign.
  
  
• Learn about COK's lawsuit to stop the egg industry's false advertising and find out more ways you can help.
  
  
• Learn more about COK's Animal Care Certified campaign.