> is there anyone who believes there are ethical issues around eggs produced in the decidedly non-factory conditions of my backyard? Yes. Hens in a natural set

> is there anyone who believes there are ethical issues around eggs produced in the decidedly non-factory conditions of my backyard? Yes. Hens in a natural setting (a backyard human controlled setting is not natural) would lay about 25 eggs in a whole year. If you do not collect the eggs from your birds, this should be what you observe, unless these are selectively bred birds who may lay more eggs. If you calculate your three dozens a week as a per-bird number (which you haven’t mentioned), it would likely be many multiples larger. Egg laying is a physically taxing activity for the birds. Not being able to brood over the laid eggs is another issue if you agree that these birds are also capable of feeling emotionally (even if not directly comparable to humans).