Skagit River Ranch
| Rating |  |
| Farm/Brand Headquarters | Sedro-Wooley, WA |
| Website | https://www.skagitriverranch.com/ |
| Market Area | WA |
| Total Score | 1545 |
They write: “Unlike so-called free-range chickens that are raised in confinement, our laying hens really live on pasture and eat grass, insects and organic grains as they roam in the green fields all day long. Our eggs sell so quickly at farmer’s markets that our customers stand in line for 15 minutes before the opening bell rings. They are that good!”
| Criteria | Points | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| TOTAL (possible score is 1700) | 1545 | 5-egg |
Brands that have close daily control over their egg production receive the most points. Ownership Structure | 100 | One farm supplies this brand |
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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 | Brands sells only organic eggs |
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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 | 100 | Real Organic Project |
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Smaller flock sizes (the number of laying hens per housing structure) offer better animal welfare conditions. Flock Size(s) | 100 | Flock sizes less than 500 |
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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 | 100 | Mobile housing |
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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 | More than 2 square feet allotted per hen |
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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 | At least 108 square feet offered |
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High quality outdoor access includes vegetation, soil, and ample opportunities to forage year-round. Quality of Outdoor Access | 100 | Rotated, excellent quality outdoor space with rotations through spent vegetable patches |
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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 | Access probably offered around 6 weeks |
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Year-round access to perches, scratching areas, deep litter, novel foodstuffs, and dust bathing contribute to quality of life. Enrichments | 80 | Enrichments provided with legitimate outdoor access, but cannot confirm specifics |
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Chickens use their beaks to interact with the world. Authentic organic farmers account for this behavior, eschewing beak trimming. Alterations | 100 | Beak trimming not allowed; induced molting is not 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 | 85 | Brand likely purchases day-old chicks |
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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 | 75 | Death rate may be around 10%; spent hens used for human consumption |
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Brands that closely monitor and manage health of soil, native species, and water quality receive the most points. Environmental Impacts | 80 | Pasture rotations, good environmental stewardship |
| Feed Sourcing | 75 | Likely purchases from local farms |
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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 | Good 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 | 75 | Did not participate in current survey, but much information could be confirmed |
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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 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) | WSDA | |
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Extra credit is offered for various practices that go above-and-beyond in some form. Extra Credit | 0 | None |
