Tomales Bay Pastures
| Rating |  |
| Farm/Brand Headquarters | Point Reyes Station, CA |
| Website | http://www.tomalesbaypastures.com/ |
| Market Area | CA |
| Total Score | 1450 |
They write: “We run our hens on an integrated system, which means that we first graze the pasture with cattle. They will eat the taller grass leaving enough for the hens to forge on when we move the hens. The hens are moved in portable coops built to have everything they need to live on pasture. The hens will eat bugs and short grass left all while fertilizing the ground with their manure. The ladies are then rotated to the next pasture while the previous space is irrigated and rested to grow back stronger then before.
Being raised on (MALT) protected property, we have the opportunity to create a carbon farm plan. We have been working with the Marin Carbon Project to find ways to sequester carbon from the atmosphere and help fight climate change through rotational grazing and compost application.
| Criteria | Points | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| TOTAL (possible score is 1700) | 1450 | 5-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 | 50 | Split-operation |
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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 | 0 | None |
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Smaller flock sizes (the number of laying hens per housing structure) offer better animal welfare conditions. Flock Size(s) | 100 | Very small flocks of 300 birds per mobile henhouse |
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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 coops allow all birds to utilize outdoor space |
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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 | Hens have ample room to perform natural behaviors year round, space per hen not provided |
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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 | Hens have ample room to perform natural behaviors, space per hen not provided |
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High quality outdoor access includes vegetation, soil, and ample opportunities to forage year-round. Quality of Outdoor Access | 100 | Maintains 100% vegetation with rotation, excellent outdoor quality |
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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 | Chicks allowed at 8 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 | 100 | Superb enrichments are provided along with legitimate outdoor access |
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Chickens use their beaks to interact with the world. Authentic organic farmers account for this behavior, eschewing beak trimming. Alterations | 50 | No policy on beak trimming |
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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 | 90 | Purchases organic chicks to raise on-farm |
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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% |
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Brands that closely monitor and manage health of soil, native species, and water quality receive the most points. Environmental Impacts | 100 | Diversified farm, manure used as on-farm fertility, steps taken for environmental sustainability, uses cover cropping, etc. |
| Feed Sourcing | 90 | Feed sourcing is local organic |
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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 | 100 | Superb animal welfare, chickens are allowed to molt naturally |
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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 | 80 | Good 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? | Soy and 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) | No response | |
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Extra credit is offered for various practices that go above-and-beyond in some form. Extra Credit | 0 | None |
