Carol’s

Rating
Farm/Brand HeadquartersMonroe, NH
Websitehttps://www.carolseggs.com/
Market AreaEast Coast, Midwest
Total Score1150
CriteriaPointsComment
TOTAL (possible score is 1700) 1150
4-egg
Brands that have close daily control over their egg production receive the most points.
Ownership Structure
75Multiple farms supply this brand with a close relationship, which is family owned and operated
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
100Brand only sells organic eggs
Additional certifications, depending on the credibility of the label, can demonstrate a commitment beyond the organic standards.
Other Labels and Standards
50Certified Humane (free range standards); Certified B Corp
Smaller flock sizes (the number of laying hens per housing structure) offer better animal welfare conditions.
Flock Size(s)
50The majority of suppliers have flock sizes less than 20k birds
The best housing offers space for natural behaviors and legitimate access to the outdoors through adequate exits.
Hen Housing and Exit Areas
60Fixed housing barns; popholes that are big enough to encourage hens exiting (but only 1-2 sides of the barn)
Adequate indoor spacing reduces stress and disease. With less crowding, birds can stretch their wings and more easily perform other natural behaviors.
Indoor Spacing
201.2 square feet allotted per hen
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
402 square feet brand standard per hen
High quality outdoor access includes vegetation, soil, and ample opportunities to forage year-round.
Quality of Outdoor Access
40Outdoor area is not rotated; no brand standard though most retain 50% vegetation
Birds that are introduced to the outdoors early are more accustomed to spending time outdoors without fear or stress.
Outdoor Access Timing
80Typical age is 16 weeks
Year-round access to perches, scratching areas, deep litter, novel foodstuffs, and dust bathing contribute to quality of life.
Enrichments
90Enrichments provided indoors and outdoors
Chickens use their beaks to interact with the world. Authentic organic farmers account for this behavior, eschewing beak trimming.
Alterations
70Hens are beak-trimmed at hatchery; induced molting is not allowed
Raising chicks on farm or buying them from certified organic hatcheries shows dedication to organic production from start to finish.
Chicks and Pullets
50Suppliers purchase chicks and ready to lay pullets from hatcheries
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
100Death rate below 2%; spent hens are sold live for food
Brands that closely monitor and manage health of soil, native species, and water quality receive the most points.
Environmental Impacts
75Brand uses Certified Humane standards to dictate pasture/outdoor care
Feed Sourcing75Brand dictates the type of feed it's suppliers use; commercial mixes
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
75Good animal welfare benchmark
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
100Full and open transparency
Soy free and/or gluten free? (non-scoring)Layers are fed gluten and soy
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)
QCS (Quality Certification Services) and OnMark Certification Services
Extra credit is offered for various practices that go above-and-beyond in some form.
Extra Credit
0None