Crown S Ranch
| Rating |  |
| Farm/Brand Headquarters | Winthrop WA |
| Website | http://www.crown-s-ranch.com/ |
| Market Area | WA |
| Total Score | 1325 |
Crown S Ranch is a sustainable family farm nestled in Washington’s Methow Valley. They write: “We have 150 plus acres of lush, certified organic pastures that produce healthful food for our family and yours. Our Ranch has been owned and lovingly tended by our family since the early 1960s. By integrating the traditional craft of animal husbandry and innovative technology, we are able to raise our animals humanely without the use of toxic drugs or chemicals. We utilize natural cycles that protect and enhance the environment and maintain a balanced ecosystem.We produce pasture raised beef, pork, lamb and poultry on our certified organic pastures. Our steers and lambs are entirely grass fed and finished. Our pigs and poultry pasture diet is supplemented only with certified organic feed.”
| Criteria | Points | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| TOTAL (possible score is 1700) | 1325 | 4-egg |
Brands that have close daily control over their egg production receive the most points. Ownership Structure | 100 | Single farm that produces all of eggs marketed |
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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 | Eggs come from single-farm source and farm only produces organic eggs |
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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 | High welfare flock sizes, less that 500 hens per mobile house |
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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 | Uses mobile housing |
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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 | Likely 1.5 square feet per hen in mobile coops |
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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 | Excellent outdoor spacing in summer, more than 43 square feet per hen |
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High quality outdoor access includes vegetation, soil, and ample opportunities to forage year-round. Quality of Outdoor Access | 100 | High quality outdoor time year-round |
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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 | 0 | Unknown |
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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 | Enrichments high quality used indoors and outdoors |
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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 | Brand does not allow beak trimming or forced molting |
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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 | 75 | May breed some of own chicks and purchase some, but info is unconfirmed |
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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 | 25 | High death rate likely; processed into stew hens to sell |
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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 | Unknown environmental stewardship, but uses rotation and other methods that are protective |
| Feed Sourcing | 75 | Feed may be grown on-farm, unconfirmed |
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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 | 50 | Real Organic Project certification ensures a certain level of animal welfare |
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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 | 50 | Did not respond to current survey, but some info could be confirmed |
| Soy free and/or gluten free? (non-scoring) | Not gluten or soy 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) | OneCert | |
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Extra credit is offered for various practices that go above-and-beyond in some form. Extra Credit | 0 | None |
