Alderwood Eggs Animal Welfare Policy

2025 Update

Commitment to Animal Welfare
At Alderwood Eggs, we are dedicated to upholding the highest standards of animal welfare. As a trusted wholesaler of cage-free eggs, we partner exclusively with local farms that prioritize humane and ethical treatment of hens. Our commitment ensures that all eggs sourced and distributed align with best practices in animal welfare and sustainable farming.

Humane Farming Standards

  • We source eggs exclusively from farms that adhere to cage-free and free-range standards, ensuring hens have ample space to move, perch, and nest naturally.

  • We require our suppliers to follow industry best practices, including compliance with American Humane Certified, Certified Humane, or similar recognized animal welfare programs.

  • Hens must be provided with access to clean water, nutritious feed, and environments that support natural behaviors.

Health & Well-being of Hens

  • Our supplier farms must implement proactive health management programs, including veterinary oversight, proper nutrition, and disease prevention measures.

  • The use of antibiotics is strictly monitored and limited to veterinary-directed treatment when necessary for hen welfare.

  • Suppliers must provide adequate lighting, ventilation, and enrichment to promote natural behaviors and well-being.

Ethical Handling & Processing

  • Hens must be treated with care and respect throughout their lifecycle, including during handling, transport, and end-of-life processes.

  • Suppliers must adhere to ethical and humane depopulation methods approved by animal welfare organizations.

  • We do not support practices such as forced molting, beak trimming without pain management, or overcrowding.

Supply Chain Accountability

  • We conduct regular audits and assessments of our suppliers to ensure compliance with our animal welfare standards.

  • Transparency in sourcing is a priority; we require documentation and verification that ethical farming practices are maintained.

  • Any supplier found to be in violation of our animal welfare policy must take corrective action or risk termination of partnership.

Continuous Improvement & Industry Engagement

  • We remain engaged with industry leaders, researchers, and advocacy groups to stay informed on advancements in animal welfare science.

  • We actively support initiatives that promote humane and sustainable egg production practices.

  • We seek feedback from customers and stakeholders to improve our animal welfare commitments.

Conclusion
At Alderwood Eggs, we believe that ethical treatment of animals is fundamental to responsible business practices. By upholding and advancing high animal welfare standards, we ensure the integrity of our products while supporting a sustainable and humane agricultural system.