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| Rating |  |
| Farm/Brand Headquarters | Elgin, TX |
| Website | https://www.coyotecreekfarms.org/ |
| Market Area | TX |
| Total Score | 1620 |
They say: “World’s Best Eggs brand pasture raised, organic eggs are produced at Coyote Creek Organic Farm. All World’s Best Eggs laying hens live outdoors. The hens enjoy sunshine every day and are able to fully express their natural chicken behaviors like scratching in the dirt, hunting for bugs, and foraging for plants in the nutrient-rich pastures at Coyote Creek. In addition to the hens’ wild diet, they eat feed that is 100% USDA certified organic and freshly milled on-site at Coyote Creek Organic Feed Mill. Feed that was produced using GMOs, herbicides, pesticides, animal by-products, hormones, and pharmaceuticals are strictly prohibited at Coyote Creek. USDA Certified Organic feed combined with USDA Certified Organic pasture allows World’s Best Eggs brand to produce the cleanest, most natural egg available. Coyote Creek’s eggs are extremely nutrient-dense, high in Omega-3 fatty acids, and low in cholesterol. At Coyote Creek Farm, the goals include long-term sustainability, slow growth, accessibility and affordability of organic foods, support for local agricultural communities, and the humane treatment of all farm animals.”
| Criteria | Points | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| TOTAL (possible score is 1700) Scorecard Criteria | 1620 | 5-egg |
 Brands that have close daily control over their egg production receive the most points. Ownership Structure | 100 | This brand sources eggs from a single-farm source |
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 | All-organic production |
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 |
Smaller flock sizes (the number of laying hens per housing structure) offer better animal welfare conditions. Flock Size(s) | 100 | Flock sizes range from 300-500 birds in many mobile houses |
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 |
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 | Meets 1.5 square feet minimum and more space is afforded due to mobile coops |
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 | Outdoor access legitimate with good spacing per bird |
High quality outdoor access includes vegetation, soil, and ample opportunities to forage year-round. Quality of Outdoor Access | 90 | Outdoor access is legitimate with high quality vegetation |
Birds that are introduced to the outdoors early are more accustomed to spending time outdoors without fear or stress. Outdoor Access Timing | 100 | At the latest 8 weeks of age |
Year-round access to perches, scratching areas, deep litter, novel foodstuffs, and dust bathing contribute to quality of life. Enrichments | 100 | Enrichments provided outdoors and indoors along with good outdoor access |
Chickens use their beaks to interact with the world. Authentic organic farmers account for this behavior, eschewing beak trimming. Alterations | 100 | No beak trimming |
Raising chicks on farm or buying them from certified organic hatcheries shows dedication to organic production from start to finish. Chicks and Pullets | 70 | Raised from day-old chicks |
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 | 100 | Death rate below 2%, spent hens are sold live |
Brands that closely monitor and manage health of soil, native species, and water quality receive the most points. Environmental Impacts | 85 | Outdoor space is vegetated, makes efforts to include native species, pasture is rotated; manure is spread naturally by the chickens |
| Feed Sourcing | 85 | Some feed produced on farm but most sourced locally and milled by personal feed mill |
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 | 90 | 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 | 100 | Excellent 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? | 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) | Texas Dept. of Ag. | |
Extra credit is offered for various practices that go above-and-beyond in some form. Extra Credit | 0 | None |
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