Are Eggs Really Vegetarian? The Truth Most People Don't Know
- Sonali Singh
- Jul 4
- 4 min read
What really happens before an egg reaches your plate? Explore the truth about egg production, hen welfare, and why the vegetarian debate continues today.
Typically, eggs are considered a type of food that falls under the category of vegetarianism due to their unfertilized state and no developing chick will come out of an unfertilized egg. But is this the full story? The story behind the egg production process, the lives of hens and male chicks and the ethics of using chickens for production begins before they lay the egg and does not end after the egg is consumed, rather, it continues on and will continue to generate discussion for years to come.
Why Are Eggs Considered Vegetarian?
The primary reason that most eggs are considered vegetarian is that the vast majority of eggs sold in stores are unfertilized. As a result, many people believe that there is no life or taking of life when they eat the egg.
This belief may seem reasonable when viewed from an absolute biological context; therefore, an unfertilized egg does not contain an embryo, as there will be no fertilized egg. However, the discussion of the ethics surrounding egg production cannot be limited to just differences in the biological qualities of the egg.
The Hidden Reality of Male Chicks
One of the least discussed aspects of the egg industry is the fate of male chicks.
In commercial egg production, after chicks are hatched from their egg, male chicks are separated from female chicks. Female chicks will be raised to lay eggs, male chicks will not be raised to lay eggs and may not be appropriate to raise for meat due to the fact that the method of production used to produce commercial egg laying chickens is considered to be a meat production breed.
As a result, millions of male chicks around the world are killed shortly after birth because they are considered economically unprofitable. This reality raises important ethical questions for those who choose vegetarianism to avoid animal suffering.
As a result, this process has affected how many people view eggs and the egg production method.
Life Inside the Egg Industry
Female chicks that survive are raised for one primary purpose: egg production.
Many commercial farming systems use cages with very small amounts of space available to chickens. Space available for some chickens can be less than 1/2 of a standard sheet of A4 paper.
Under such conditions, hens may be unable to:
Fully spread their wings
Walk freely
Dust bathe naturally
Build nests
Express normal social behavior
Animals, like humans, have instinctual behaviours and needs that cannot be kept confined for long periods of time. This creates a concern for the welfare of animals
How Many Eggs Does a Hen Naturally Lay?
One interesting point frequently raised by those who know little about the commercial egg industry is the difference between natural production rates of eggs and the commercial egg industry.
For example, a wild hen typically lays between 10 and 15 eggs in a year. These eggs are laid primarily for reproduction and raising offspring.
In the commercial egg production industry, an egg laying hen has been bred and kept to lay approximately 300 eggs each year.
This marked increase means that the body of the laying hen has to work extremely hard to produce this amount of eggs each year. High rates of egg production require vast amounts of calcium, nutrients and energy.
Many animal welfare advocates argue that the way laying hens are raised and produced at commercially high levels is far greater than what their natural biological limits are.
What Happens When Hens Stop Producing?
The commercial value of a laying hen is largely based on the number of eggs she produces.
After laying eggs for two years, most laying hens start to slow in egg production. Once the laying hen is no longer considered to be a profitable producer of eggs, they are typically removed from the production system and slaughtered.
For those who oppose industrial agriculture, there seems to be a vicious cycle whereby animals are viewed solely as a commodity rather than a living creature.
What Do Hindu Scriptures Teach About Compassion?
Sanatana Dharma places great emphasis on compassion toward all living beings.
The Bhagavad Gita teaches:
अद्वेष्टा सर्वभूतानां मैत्रः करुण एव च। -(भगवद्गीता 12.13)
One should be free from hatred toward all living beings and should cultivate friendship and compassion for everyone.
Similarly, the Mahabharata declares:
अहिंसा परमो धर्मः।
Non-violence is the highest duty.
Teaching on compassion, non-violence, and care for creation create an opportunity for people to be more mindful about their daily decision-making and how their choices affect other living beings. Although the Bible does not specifically discuss the practice of industrial egg production, the values associated with compassion and non-violence are still applicable today.
Are Eggs Vegetarian or Not?
The answer depends on how the word "vegetarian" is defined.
From a biological standpoint, an unfertilized egg does not have a developing chick inside of it, which is why most individuals classify them as being vegetarian.
From an ethical standpoint, others contend that one cannot separate the egg from the system that produces it. They point to the confinement of hens, the killing of male chicks, and the slaughter of laying hens as reasons to avoid poultry products altogether.
Many have written extensively about this issue, and it continues to be a highly debated and controversial topic.
The answer to whether or not one can consider eggs to be vegetarian is primarily dependent on one’s biological and ethical perspective. Knowledge regarding the realities of the egg industry allows an individual to make an informed and compassionate decision as to his/her values and beliefs.
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