Burroughs Family Farms
| Rating |  |
| Farm/Brand Headquarters | Denair, CA |
| Website | https://burroughsfamilyfarms.com/ |
| Market Area | CA |
| Total Score | 1620 |
Together with their children and grandchildren, Ward and Rosie produce USDA certified organic almonds, beef, eggs, olives, walnuts, and milk in California’s Central San Joaquin Valley. Read Cornucopia’s story highlighting their legacy in organic dairy. This farm’s eggs are available for on-farm pickup only.
| Criteria | Points | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| TOTAL (possible score is 1700) | 1620 | 5-egg |
Brands that have close daily control over their egg production receive the most points. Ownership Structure | 100 | Single-farm source, daily and hands-on interaction with laying hens and farm business |
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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 | 100 | 100% organic brand with 100% organic sourcing |
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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 | 100 | Real Organic Project |
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Smaller flock sizes (the number of laying hens per housing structure) offer better animal welfare conditions. Flock Size(s) | 100 | Flock sizes around 500 birds per coop |
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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 | 100 | Mobile coops with easy access to outdoors and ensures that all hens utilize outdoor space |
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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 | 100 | Mobile coops give space indoors; 1.92 square feet per hen |
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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 | 100 | Mobile coops allow good utilization of outdoor space without crowding |
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High quality outdoor access includes vegetation, soil, and ample opportunities to forage year-round. Quality of Outdoor Access | 100 | Mobile coops moved regularly; outdoor access is high quality even during winter months |
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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 | 80 | Chicks introduced to outdoors around 12 weeks |
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Year-round access to perches, scratching areas, deep litter, novel foodstuffs, and dust bathing contribute to quality of life. Enrichments | 100 | Excellent enrichment outdoors; legitimate outdoor time is provided year round |
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Chickens use their beaks to interact with the world. Authentic organic farmers account for this behavior, eschewing beak trimming. Alterations | 100 | Beak tipping not allowed, no forced molting allowed |
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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 | Purchases hatchery chicks to raise on-site |
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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 | Death rate below 5%; spent 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 | 90 | Maintains 100% vegetative cover, rotating daily; no soil or water testing |
| Feed Sourcing | 90 | Obtains feed from organic supplier that distributes locally |
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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 | 90 | Excellent animal welfare, does not allow forced molting |
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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 | 100 | Full and open transparency |
| 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) | Oregon Tilth (OTCO) | |
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Extra credit is offered for various practices that go above-and-beyond in some form. Extra Credit | 0 | None |
