Hoover Ranch

Rating
Farm/Brand HeadquartersBethel Island, CA
Websitehttps://www.facebook.com/TheHooverRanch/
Market AreaCA
Total Score1265
CriteriaPointsComment
TOTAL (possible score is 1700) 1265
4-egg
Brands that have close daily control over their egg production receive the most points.
Ownership Structure
100Single farm
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
100Highly committed to organic label
Additional certifications, depending on the credibility of the label, can demonstrate a commitment beyond the organic standards.
Other Labels and Standards
100Real Organic Project (ROP)
Smaller flock sizes (the number of laying hens per housing structure) offer better animal welfare conditions.
Flock Size(s)
100Small flock sizes likely under 1k birds per house
The best housing offers space for natural behaviors and legitimate access to the outdoors through adequate exits.
Hen Housing and Exit Areas
90Mobile housing, likely with good exit areas
Adequate indoor spacing reduces stress and disease. With less crowding, birds can stretch their wings and more easily perform other natural behaviors.
Indoor Spacing
90Likely around 2 square feet 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
90Likely at least 100 square feet
High quality outdoor access includes vegetation, soil, and ample opportunities to forage year-round.
Quality of Outdoor Access
75Good outdoor access year round; unknown vegetative cover
Birds that are introduced to the outdoors early are more accustomed to spending time outdoors without fear or stress.
Outdoor Access Timing
60Likely between 16-18 weeks
Year-round access to perches, scratching areas, deep litter, novel foodstuffs, and dust bathing contribute to quality of life.
Enrichments
75Enrichments are provided, excellent outdoor access
Chickens use their beaks to interact with the world. Authentic organic farmers account for this behavior, eschewing beak trimming.
Alterations
50Ready-to-lay pullets may be break trimmed
Raising chicks on farm or buying them from certified organic hatcheries shows dedication to organic production from start to finish.
Chicks and Pullets
50Likely purchases ready-to-lay pullets
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
50Unknown death rate, likely low but have not confirmed
Brands that closely monitor and manage health of soil, native species, and water quality receive the most points.
Environmental Impacts
50Some environmental stewardship confirmed; manure spread by birds
Feed Sourcing50Feed sourced outside of the farm, likely local but unconfirmed
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
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
60Did not participate, but some information could be found in investigation
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 soy or gluten 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)
CCOF
Extra credit is offered for various practices that go above-and-beyond in some form.
Extra Credit
0None