Happy Town Farm

Rating
Farm/Brand HeadquartersOrland, ME
Websitehttps://www.facebook.com/pages/Happy%20Town%20Farm/837807419606428/
Market AreaME
Total Score1335
CriteriaPointsComment
TOTAL (possible score is 1700) 1335
4-egg
Brands that have close daily control over their egg production receive the most points.
Ownership Structure
100Single farm that produces all of eggs marketed
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
100Eggs come from single-farm source and farm only produces organic eggs
Additional certifications, depending on the credibility of the label, can demonstrate a commitment beyond the organic standards.
Other Labels and Standards
0None
Smaller flock sizes (the number of laying hens per housing structure) offer better animal welfare conditions.
Flock Size(s)
100Flock size of 300 birds
The best housing offers space for natural behaviors and legitimate access to the outdoors through adequate exits.
Hen Housing and Exit Areas
70Fixed housing with large door exit areas on 2 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
1002 square feet per bird
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
1004 square feet per bird
High quality outdoor access includes vegetation, soil, and ample opportunities to forage year-round.
Quality of Outdoor Access
25Requires only 10% of outdoor area to be vegetated, non-rotated
Birds that are introduced to the outdoors early are more accustomed to spending time outdoors without fear or stress.
Outdoor Access Timing
1254 weeks
Year-round access to perches, scratching areas, deep litter, novel foodstuffs, and dust bathing contribute to quality of life.
Enrichments
75Enrichments used indoors and outdoors; feed hens weeds, greens, and cull produce from vegetable farm
Chickens use their beaks to interact with the world. Authentic organic farmers account for this behavior, eschewing beak trimming.
Alterations
100Brand does not allow beak trimming or forced molting
Raising chicks on farm or buying them from certified organic hatcheries shows dedication to organic production from start to finish.
Chicks and Pullets
75Purchases chicks to raise into pullets on-site
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
50Death rate below 10%; hens processed for pig feed
Brands that closely monitor and manage health of soil, native species, and water quality receive the most points.
Environmental Impacts
50Diversified farm, but outdoor area is bare ground and weedy
Feed Sourcing90Feed is sourced from local organic mill, also certified GMO-free
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?
Not gluten or soy free
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)
MOFGA
Extra credit is offered for various practices that go above-and-beyond in some form.
Extra Credit
0None