Happy Town Farm
Rating | |
Farm/Brand Headquarters | Orland, ME |
Website | https://www.facebook.com/pages/Happy%20Town%20Farm/837807419606428/ |
Market Area | ME |
Total Score | 1335 |
Criteria | Points | Comment |
---|---|---|
TOTAL (possible score is 1700) | 1335 | 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 |
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 |
Additional certifications, depending on the credibility of the label, can demonstrate a commitment beyond the organic standards. Other Labels and Standards | 0 | None |
Smaller flock sizes (the number of laying hens per housing structure) offer better animal welfare conditions. Flock Size(s) | 100 | Flock 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 | 70 | Fixed 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 | 100 | 2 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 | 100 | 4 square feet per bird |
High quality outdoor access includes vegetation, soil, and ample opportunities to forage year-round. Quality of Outdoor Access | 25 | Requires 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 | 125 | 4 weeks |
Year-round access to perches, scratching areas, deep litter, novel foodstuffs, and dust bathing contribute to quality of life. Enrichments | 75 | Enrichments 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 | 100 | Brand 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 | 75 | Purchases 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 | 50 | Death 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 | 50 | Diversified farm, but outdoor area is bare ground and weedy |
Feed Sourcing | 90 | Feed 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 | 75 | Good 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 | 100 | Full 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 | 0 | None |