Keep in mind there is such a thing as "free-range" chickens, as well. These are chickens that are free to roam open spaces and are usually fed organic food.
However, I've read that some of these "ranges" are often super-crowded to the point of the chickens walking all over each other. But, that is still better than being kept in a small cage and having their cycles manipulated. Frankly, I've never visited such a range. I'm not one to automatically believe everything I read, so I am skeptical of how bad it is and I am also skeptical that they are ALL like that.
Then there are "free ranges" at the personal level, where people have chickens at their residence. I live in the country and lots of people have chickens there with PLENTY of room to roam and no manipulation of the animal's cycle.
If you can't have your own chickens, or get them from someone who does (and who takes care of them properly), you can look for free range eggs in the supermarket but be sure to do a little research and find out just how crowded that company's "range" is for the animals.
If you're going to be vegan, you might want to also enquire as to what an egg actually is. Given some thought, it's kind of gross.
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