New Century Farm
| Rating |  |
| Farm/Brand Headquarters | Kalona, IA |
| Website | https://www.farmershenhouse.com/ |
| Market Area | IA |
| Total Score | 1115 |
They write: “We are a small, family-owned and run operation. We aim to deliver the highest quality, healthiest eggs possible with the least negative impact on the environment, while promising a fair price to our customers and still earning a decent living for our family.”
| 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 | 100 | Single farm |
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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 | Highly committed to organic label |
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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 | 20 | Whole Foods Market Compliant |
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Smaller flock sizes (the number of laying hens per housing structure) offer better animal welfare conditions. Flock Size(s) | 80 | One flock of 6500 |
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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, can only exit one side with smaller doors |
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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 | 20 | 1.2 square feet |
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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 | 30 | 2.5 square feet per bird |
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High quality outdoor access includes vegetation, soil, and ample opportunities to forage year-round. Quality of Outdoor Access | 60 | Requires 90% vegetation to be managed, space is not rotated |
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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 | 60 | Around 20 weeks, weather depending |
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Year-round access to perches, scratching areas, deep litter, novel foodstuffs, and dust bathing contribute to quality of life. Enrichments | 90 | Some enrichments provided indoors and out, including food, water, and shade |
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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 trimming done at hatchery |
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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 | 50 | Purchases 100% ready-to-lay pullets from local supplier of certified organic pullets with a proven track record, but unknown if pullets have outdoor access |
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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 | Death rate below 5%, spent hens 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 | 50 | Manure applied to land birds are on, pasture not rotated, but vegetation including shrubs/trees is maintained |
| Feed Sourcing | 75 | 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 | 50 | Okay 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 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 or 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 |
