Handsome Brook Farm

Rating
Farm/Brand HeadquartersFranklin, NY
Websitehttps://handsomebrookfarms.com/
Market AreaNationwide
Total Score1145

You can find this brand products in Sprouts, Fresh Thyme, and other more local chains.

CriteriaPointsComment
TOTAL (possible score is 1700) 1145
4-egg
Brands that have close daily control over their egg production receive the most points.
Ownership Structure
75Multiple farms supply this brand, 100% contract production with close monitoring
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
50American Humane Certified (AHC); some farms have Certified Humane
Smaller flock sizes (the number of laying hens per housing structure) offer better animal welfare conditions.
Flock Size(s)
60Flock sizes average 11,000 birds, with max flock size of 20,000
The best housing offers space for natural behaviors and legitimate access to the outdoors through adequate exits.
Hen Housing and Exit Areas
50Fixed housing barns; doors have minimum requirements for size that must be on at least two sides of the house
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
100Minimum 108.9 square feet per bird is brand standard
High quality outdoor access includes vegetation, soil, and ample opportunities to forage year-round.
Quality of Outdoor Access
60Requires at least 50% vegetation, porches are not allowed and outdoor access is legitimate
Birds that are introduced to the outdoors early are more accustomed to spending time outdoors without fear or stress.
Outdoor Access Timing
60Typical age is 20 weeks for introduction
Year-round access to perches, scratching areas, deep litter, novel foodstuffs, and dust bathing contribute to quality of life.
Enrichments
75Enrichments provided outdoors: shade and water, annual crops
Chickens use their beaks to interact with the world. Authentic organic farmers account for this behavior, eschewing beak trimming.
Alterations
70Hens are beak-tipped 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
75Chicks are ordered by brand directly from the hatchery and then raised at pullet houses under brand’s oversite
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
75Death rate below 10%; spent hens are sold live
Brands that closely monitor and manage health of soil, native species, and water quality receive the most points.
Environmental Impacts
50Encourages pasture rest, has some requirements to protect environmental quality; manure is composted and/or used on farm
Feed Sourcing50Supplies certified organic feed to its egg suppliers and/or contract growers
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
Brands do not receive points, but this information is offered for people with soy and/or gluten allergies.
Soy free and/or gluten free?
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)
NOFA-NY
Extra credit is offered for various practices that go above-and-beyond in some form.
Extra Credit
0None