One of WA’s biggest egg producers has been fined $750,000 for misleading customers by claiming its produce was free range when it was highly unlikely most of its chickens could move around outside.

A Federal Court judgment handed down in May last year found Snowdale Holdings breached consumer protection laws by making false or misleading representations that its eggs were free range.

Snowdale, which sold to retailers Coles and Woolworths, supplied eggs under brands including Eggs by Ellah, Swan Valley Free Range and Wanneroo Free Range.

Justice Antony Siopis fined the company this morning and ordered it to pay $300,000 in costs.

The action against Snowdale was taken by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission over conditions for its chickens between April 2011 and December 2013.

During a three-week trial in 2015, it was alleged some of Snowdale’s barns at Carabooda and in the Swan Valley held up to 18,000 chickens – or 14 animals a square metre – with only a few exits to outdoor ranges.

The company used advertising that included claims its eggs were “free range” and images of chickens in “grassy fields”.

The ACCC argued a significant amount of consumers would reasonably think the words free range meant something more than up to 18,000 hens in a barn with a few exits.

Justice Siopis ruled the ACCC had established most of the hens in relevant sheds did not move around freely on an open range on an ordinary day.

Disgusting...What are Coles and other companies going to do about it? If nothing stop buying there

I had three chooks. They ranged through my large backyard. Beyootifool eggs, still dream of them. Never raised hens for meat—thought of all the plucking to be done, no thanks.

cods wrote on Jul 25^th, 2017 at 3:51pm:


the consumer is entitled to believe that eggs labelled free range do in fact come from free range chickens.  Unless you expect consumers to visit the farms before they make a purchase?

Jovial Monk wrote on Jul 25^th, 2017 at 3:30pm:

Demi plucked them for free remember and removed the gizzards as a free service-

Im not sure its even possible to be a profitable, large scale egg producer.

Given that chickens will destroy any and all vegetation within their reach, a huge amount of land per head is required to raise them in any degree of comfort.

We (ie you) are used to eggs within a certain price range and its just not enough to support a large operation and the resources it requires.  Its all very well saying youll pay an extra dollar or 2 per carton, but its still not enough.  I think itd be more like an extra dollar per egg, and that price just isnt going to fly.

However the company that was cheating should be fined.
Free range eggs should cost about $15 per dozen

I never buy 'free range' eggs. Easy to spot the scam.


See Organic,,,,, same deal.

Setanta wrote on Jul 25^th, 2017 at 8:08pm:

  He will keep that in mind for next time- Demi ( his dog) chewed into the little wing dings- even the gizzards- cant trust those horrible creatures that aren't cats you know

I used to work in the Poultry Industry,
even as a Chicken Sexer for a short period before I was replaced for 'cheaper Asian Labour' brought in under the cover of 'Back-Packer Visas' (6 month rotation of workers from South Korea) - not that they actually stayed in Back Packer Hostels. 

The problem with 'MASS PRODUCTION' poultry is that you really buy very poor quality produce. The only justification for 'mass production' is to feed over-populated nations.

Besides the poor conditions of the chickens, grain fed, dismal lighting, cramped conditions, etc.
The eggs themselves are 'fumigated' in Hatcheries with at least x5 bombardments of FORMALDEHYDE !!!

A large number of those eggs that hatch are genetically stuffed both physically and mentally - legs coming out of abdomens, eyes rolling around furiously, etc.

They also used to 'macerate' the unwanted chickens - live.
Now though, most places just 'gas' the chickens to 'forever-sleep'. Which is far better unless you are 'jewish'.

I even tried a 'Supermarket' pre-cooked cheap chicken last night and it went through me faster than a curry or chilli dish.

There was an American Company, that owns 90% of the Global Market, that came to Australia to finish the job and own 100% of the Global Market of 'Mass Production Poultry'.
They had already bought 'Inghams' - but with good warning  , the other Australian Companies and Independents put up a good fight and pushed those American plans back a fair bit.

American's go about business via 'Destroy the Competition' rather than compete fairly. Take a hint from the America's Cup. 
Lucky Australia didn't sell 'Grain Corp'  or it would have been 'Grain Dead' in 3 years 

I could say a lot more - but I gotta watch myself a bit here.

Setanta wrote on Jul 25^th, 2017 at 10:30pm:

Considering I just told my German employer where to go today and am unemployed again.
I have no idea what that says. 

Is it true the male chicks are ground up,  dried and turned into  chicken salt?

Gordon wrote on Jul 25^th, 2017 at 11:00pm:



No. But the Chinese Restaurants in Melbourne sell baby chickens as Quail 

Setanta wrote on Jul 25^th, 2017 at 11:11pm:


Mate's Rate is always just 10%.
That's like 10mm of fun you'll be getting. 
Alas, no I don't have a 'wife'.
She's still in the Prison wondering where I got to.