Niki Farms
| Rating |  |
| Farm/Brand Headquarters | Fresno CA |
| Website | https://www.facebook.com/nikifarmsorganics/ |
| Market Area | CA |
| Total Score | 1455 |
They write: “At Niki Farms we practice organic farming. Our hens are out all day in our organic pasture/mandarin orchard. We are certified 100% organic by CCOF and registered as an egg handler with the State of California. We are ever striving to ensure safe, nutritious food, which you can see for yourself when you come by to pick up your eggs and do a farm tour.”
This farm is certified by the Real Organic Project.
| Criteria | Points | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| TOTAL (possible score is 1700) | 1455 | 5-egg |
Brands that have close daily control over their egg production receive the most points. Ownership Structure | 100 | Single 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 | 100 | Highly 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 | 100 | Real Organic Project (ROP) |
|
Smaller flock sizes (the number of laying hens per housing structure) offer better animal welfare conditions. Flock Size(s) | 100 | Small flock sizes likely under 500 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 | 80 | Fixed 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 | 90 | Likely 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 | 90 | Likely at least 108 square feet |
|
High quality outdoor access includes vegetation, soil, and ample opportunities to forage year-round. Quality of Outdoor Access | 75 | Good 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 | 90 | Chicks are introduced between 2-4 weeks, later when pullets |
|
Year-round access to perches, scratching areas, deep litter, novel foodstuffs, and dust bathing contribute to quality of life. Enrichments | 80 | Enrichments 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 | 80 | Ready-to-lay pullets are break trimmed, chicks are not |
|
Raising chicks on farm or buying them from certified organic hatcheries shows dedication to organic production from start to finish. Chicks and Pullets | 90 | Purchases and raises chicks into pullets on-farm |
|
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 | 50 | Unknown 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 | 80 | Diversified farm, hens have access to orchard |
| Feed Sourcing | 100 | Grows 100% of feed on farm |
|
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 | Likely excellent 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 | 75 | Did 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 | 0 | None |
