Mission Mountain
| Rating |  |
| Farm/Brand Headquarters | Ronan, MT |
| Website | https://www.missionmountainorganiceggs.com/ |
| Market Area | MT, ID, WA |
| Total Score | 1465 |
Mission Mountain eggs can be found at Natural Grocers and local food stores Bozeman and other western states stores including Harvest Foods.
| Criteria | Points | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| TOTAL (possible score is 1700) | 1465 | 5-egg |
Brands that have close daily control over their egg production receive the most points. Ownership Structure | 100 | Single-farm source, daily and hands-on interaction with the laying hens and farm business |
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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 | 100% organic brand with 100% organic sourcing |
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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 | 0 | None |
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Smaller flock sizes (the number of laying hens per housing structure) offer better animal welfare conditions. Flock Size(s) | 80 | 3,000 birds per flock |
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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 | 85 | Enhanced fixed housing where hens can all exit freely within one hour of doors being opened |
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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 | 2 square feet per hen indoors |
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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 | Over 200 square feet per hen; mobile coops allow good utilization of outdoor space without crowding |
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High quality outdoor access includes vegetation, soil, and ample opportunities to forage year-round. Quality of Outdoor Access | 100 | Outdoor space is rotated around buildings every 2 days, superb quality access that hens can utilize fully |
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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 | 100 | Chicks introduced to outdoors around 6-8 weeks, weather allowing |
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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 | High-quality, numerous enrichments are provided both 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 | 70 | Beaks tipped at hatchery; no forced molting allowed |
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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 | Purchases day-old chicks to raise organically |
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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 | 100 | Low death rate; live, spent hens given away |
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Brands that closely monitor and manage health of soil, native species, and water quality receive the most points. Environmental Impacts | 90 | Good environmental stewardship of the land and manure is used on-farm |
| Feed Sourcing | 90 | Produces some feed on-farm and obtains feed from organic supplier that distributes locally |
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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 | 75 | Excellent animal welfare benchmark |
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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 | 100 | Full and open transparency |
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Brands do not receive points, but this information is offered for people with soy and/or gluten allergies. Soy free and/or gluten free? | Soy and gluten 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) | GOA | |
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Extra credit is offered for various practices that go above-and-beyond in some form. Extra Credit | 0 | None |
