Alderfer Eggs
| Rating |  |
| Farm/Brand Headquarters | Telford, PA |
| Website | https://alderfereggs.com/ |
| Market Area | Central, Southeast |
| Total Score | 910 |
| Criteria | Points | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| TOTAL (possible score is 1700) | 910 | 3-egg |
Brands that have close daily control over their egg production receive the most points. Ownership Structure | 75 | Family business with home farm and contract farmers |
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Brands that only produce organic products make the biggest investments — in time and money — in systems that benefit us all. Eggs sourced from a single operation receive the most points. Eggs of unclear origins and/or with poor oversight receives the fewest points. Commitment to Organic Label | 75 | Brand sell both organic and conventional eggs, but their egg suppliers produce their organic eggs in a location that is separate from their conventional egg production |
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Additional certifications, depending on the credibility of the label, can demonstrate a commitment beyond the organic standards. Other Labels and Standards | 30 | Certified Humane (different levels on different supplier farms) |
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Smaller flock sizes (the number of laying hens per housing structure) offer better animal welfare conditions. Flock Size(s) | 20 | Size varies widely by supplier, up to around 25k |
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The best housing offers space for natural behaviors and legitimate access to the outdoors through adequate exits. Hen Housing and Exit Areas | 45 | Fixed housing with exit areas varying by supplier (phasing out porches) |
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Adequate indoor spacing reduces stress and disease. With less crowding, birds can stretch their wings and more easily perform other natural behaviors. Indoor Spacing | 20 | 1.2 square feet per bird |
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High scoring brands provide enough space to allow each hen to fully utilize their outdoor area, and to perform instinctive behaviors without harming the environment. Outdoor Spacing | 20 | Moving to 2sqft per bird outdoors, but not all organic suppliers at that level yet |
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High quality outdoor access includes vegetation, soil, and ample opportunities to forage year-round. Quality of Outdoor Access | 50 | Mix quality, rotated as needed, shade and enrichments provided, porches being phased out |
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Birds that are introduced to the outdoors early are more accustomed to spending time outdoors without fear or stress. Outdoor Access Timing | 20 | Full outdoor access given after 23 weeks of age |
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Year-round access to perches, scratching areas, deep litter, novel foodstuffs, and dust bathing contribute to quality of life. Enrichments | 85 | Enrichments indoors and outdoors, shade, perches, feed enrichments, etc. |
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Chickens use their beaks to interact with the world. Authentic organic farmers account for this behavior, eschewing beak trimming. Alterations | 70 | Beaks trimmed at hatchery |
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Raising chicks on farm or buying them from certified organic hatcheries shows dedication to organic production from start to finish. Chicks and Pullets | 80 | Brand raises its own pullets from chicks, which are purchased from a non-organic outside source |
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Brands that have low rates of deaths and utilize their spent hens for human consumption or similar score the highest. Deaths, Culls, and Spent Hens | 90 | Under 5%, hens sold live |
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Brands that closely monitor and manage health of soil, native species, and water quality receive the most points. Environmental Impacts | 50 | Manure is composted and sold |
| Feed Sourcing | 40 | Supplies certified organic feed to its egg suppliers |
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Brands that score well here go above and beyond to ensure the highest animal welfare, taking into consideration their hens’ safety and cleanliness, natural behavior, and stress levels. Animal Welfare | 60 | Decent animal welfare benchmark |
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Cornucopia believes you have a right to transparency. Top brands share information with Cornucopia via a survey and cooperate with our own independent investigations. Transparency | 80 | Participated in survey |
| Soy free and/or gluten free? (non-scoring) | Not soy or gluten free | |
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Brands do not receive points, but are invited to submit the name of their Accredited Organic Certifier (suppliers may have different certifiers). Organic Certifier (non-scoring) | PCO | |
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Extra credit is offered for various practices that go above-and-beyond in some form. Extra Credit | 0 | None |
