Nature’s Yoke (Westfield Egg Farm)

Rating
Farm/Brand HeadquartersNew Holland, PA
Websitehttps://naturesyoke.com/
Market AreaUnknown
Total Score1115
CriteriaPointsComment
TOTAL (possible score is 1700) 1115
4-egg
Brands that have close daily control over their egg production receive the most points.
Ownership Structure
50Contract-based production with a good reputation; inspects their contract farms yearly
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
75This brands sells both organic and conventional eggs, but conventional and organic eggs are not produced on the same property
Additional certifications, depending on the credibility of the label, can demonstrate a commitment beyond the organic standards.
Other Labels and Standards
50Certified Humane (free range), Non-GMO
Smaller flock sizes (the number of laying hens per housing structure) offer better animal welfare conditions.
Flock Size(s)
50Between 10-21,000 birds in each flock (per house)
The best housing offers space for natural behaviors and legitimate access to the outdoors through adequate exits.
Hen Housing and Exit Areas
70Fixed housing without rotated pasture, exit areas on 2-3 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 indoors
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
20Brand requires 2 square feet per hen outdoors
High quality outdoor access includes vegetation, soil, and ample opportunities to forage year-round.
Quality of Outdoor Access
60Land 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
Birds that are introduced to the outdoors early are more accustomed to spending time outdoors without fear or stress.
Outdoor Access Timing
2522 weeks old
Year-round access to perches, scratching areas, deep litter, novel foodstuffs, and dust bathing contribute to quality of life.
Enrichments
100Indoor and outdoor enrichments, including hay bales, planted crops, etc.
Chickens use their beaks to interact with the world. Authentic organic farmers account for this behavior, eschewing beak trimming.
Alterations
70Beak trimmed at hatchery; brand does not allow 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
75Brand purchases non-organic chicks to raise into 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
90Very low death rate; brand does not have specific policies about spent hens but some are sold live
Brands that closely monitor and manage health of soil, native species, and water quality receive the most points.
Environmental Impacts
70Trees are planted in outdoor area but land is not rotated, manure is sold or used on the land
Feed Sourcing70Some feed is produced on some operations; feed is 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
50Basic animal welfare assurances met
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
90Excellent 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 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)
Unknown at contract farm level; brand certified by PCO
Extra credit is offered for various practices that go above-and-beyond in some form.
Extra Credit
0None