Nature’s Yoke (Westfield Egg Farm)
| Rating |  |
| Farm/Brand Headquarters | New Holland, PA |
| Website | https://naturesyoke.com/ |
| Market Area | Unknown |
| Total Score | 1115 |
| Criteria | Points | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| TOTAL (possible score is 1700) | 1115 | 4-egg |
Brands that have close daily control over their egg production receive the most points. Ownership Structure | 50 | Contract-based production with a good reputation; inspects their contract farms yearly |
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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 | 75 | This brands sells both organic and conventional eggs, but conventional and organic eggs are not produced on the same property |
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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 | 50 | Certified Humane (free range), Non-GMO |
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Smaller flock sizes (the number of laying hens per housing structure) offer better animal welfare conditions. Flock Size(s) | 50 | Between 10-21,000 birds in each flock (per house) |
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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 | 70 | Fixed housing without rotated pasture, exit areas on 2-3 sides of the house |
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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 bird 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 | 20 | Brand requires 2 square feet per hen outdoors |
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High quality outdoor access includes vegetation, soil, and ample opportunities to forage year-round. Quality of Outdoor Access | 60 | Land is not rotated; brand standard is to maintain 50-70% grass, 30-50% trees or shrubs, and 15-20% scratch (bare ground); reseeded as needed |
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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 | 25 | 22 weeks old |
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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 | Indoor and outdoor enrichments, including hay bales, planted crops, etc. |
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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 | Beak trimmed at hatchery; brand does not allow forced molting |
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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 | Brand purchases non-organic chicks to raise into pullets |
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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 | 90 | Very low death rate; brand does not have specific policies about spent hens but some are sold live |
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Brands that closely monitor and manage health of soil, native species, and water quality receive the most points. Environmental Impacts | 70 | Trees are planted in outdoor area but land is not rotated, manure is sold or used on the land |
| Feed Sourcing | 70 | Some feed is produced on some operations; feed is GMO-free |
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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 | 50 | Basic animal welfare assurances met |
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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 | 90 | Excellent 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? | Not soy 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) | Unknown at contract farm level; brand certified by PCO | |
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Extra credit is offered for various practices that go above-and-beyond in some form. Extra Credit | 0 | None |
