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What do you feed your meat birds to raise Organic Meat?

post #1 of 20
4/8/12 at 7:05am
Thread Starter 

I would like to raise up and butcher 20 cornish cross birds in the fall. I would like to ensure that the meat is organic without all the chemicals and medications. As this is my ONLY reason to butch at home! What do you feed and how much would it cost to raise up 20 birds for 9 weeks?

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post #2 of 20
4/8/12 at 8:06am
Of course you can just get Organic chick starter, that would be easiest. I don't remember off the top of my head how much to figure on each bird eating but McMurrays hatchery has a chart on it's website.

== Easy incubator wiring chart: http://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=65925 Installing a thermostat: http://cmfarm.us/WHTincubator.html
Love those Orps!

I don't care why the chicken crossed the road, as long as mine don't!

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== Easy incubator wiring chart: http://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=65925 Installing a thermostat: http://cmfarm.us/WHTincubator.html
Love those Orps!

I don't care why the chicken crossed the road, as long as mine don't!

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post #3 of 20
4/8/12 at 11:01am

I am using a Broiler Mash from a local mill.  It is an organic type from Fertrell.  $14.00 for 50 lbs.  It is at 18% protein.  I will use this for the entire time.  They are growing great for 2 weeks now.  They have just finished a 50 lb bag.  I anticipate going thru 450lbs.  for 8 weeks.

First time, so we shall see.  Good luck.

I'm the Chick, Dad is the Smokin(BBQ that is).
Getting eggs. I'm really digging this chicken thing!  3 Red Sex-Links, 4 Ameraucanas, 2 BO, 2 SLW, 2 Austrolorps,  Beagle, Cat, Chinchillas and Sugar Gliders.

 

26 CX Chilling in camp!

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I'm the Chick, Dad is the Smokin(BBQ that is).
Getting eggs. I'm really digging this chicken thing!  3 Red Sex-Links, 4 Ameraucanas, 2 BO, 2 SLW, 2 Austrolorps,  Beagle, Cat, Chinchillas and Sugar Gliders.

 

26 CX Chilling in camp!

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post #4 of 20
4/8/12 at 4:52pm
Thread Starter 

Thank You for your replies. Do you think it is cost effective to raise your own? I am assuming the "organic" labeled food is much more expensive.  What do you look for when choosing an organic meat bird food?  Is it the label "organic"  and the protein percent? In your experience do you trust the the food labeled organic, is in fact organic and healthy for the birds and the humans eating them later?

Or is it like dog food where you think you are feeding something really good and find out later that ground corn is the first ingredient?  I read an article here on BYC where they tested feathers from the commercial meat industry and found ALL kinds of horrible banned chemicals and drugs.....Acetametaphin, Prozac, Antibiotics,  to name just a few.  If you want to read it look for the forum "this is why I raise my own"

@smokinchick  How many birds are you raising up when figuring 450 lbs of food?  I am assuming they are cornish X ?

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post #5 of 20
4/8/12 at 5:12pm

Its not so much the food, as it is our water supply.  If you get any kind of city water, you're going to have all of that and more in your water supply.  Organic food is simply grown without pesticides.  I think its hard to find feed for chickens that don't have GMO corn or soybean in it, whether its organic or not.

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post #6 of 20
4/8/12 at 7:06pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by shadowmane View Post

Its not so much the food, as it is our water supply.  If you get any kind of city water, you're going to have all of that and more in your water supply.  Organic food is simply grown without pesticides.  I think its hard to find feed for chickens that don't have GMO corn or soybean in it, whether its organic or not.



You nailed it with this post.

 

I am raising 28 CX's for the first time.  I got my numbers from the Welp site.

http://www.welphatchery.com/cornish_rock_care.asp  hope this helps?

 

I'm the Chick, Dad is the Smokin(BBQ that is).
Getting eggs. I'm really digging this chicken thing!  3 Red Sex-Links, 4 Ameraucanas, 2 BO, 2 SLW, 2 Austrolorps,  Beagle, Cat, Chinchillas and Sugar Gliders.

 

26 CX Chilling in camp!

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I'm the Chick, Dad is the Smokin(BBQ that is).
Getting eggs. I'm really digging this chicken thing!  3 Red Sex-Links, 4 Ameraucanas, 2 BO, 2 SLW, 2 Austrolorps,  Beagle, Cat, Chinchillas and Sugar Gliders.

 

26 CX Chilling in camp!

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post #7 of 20
4/9/12 at 4:39am
Thread Starter 

OMGosh  That is DISGUSTING!!!!   I can't believe that it has gotten SO bad. Our kids are drinking "cancer" everyday!  Makes me sick to my stomach! 

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post #8 of 20
4/9/12 at 5:35am

 

I figure there are degrees of organic.

 

I have my own feed mixed at a local mill from local grains and a few added ingredients. I friend adds Fertrel organic nutribalencer to his. My thinking is at least I know what went into my feed, even if some of it may be GMO. It is more important to me that it be local than organic, as my concerns are balanced among sustainability, health, and humane treatment of animals.

 

 

"There are too many books in the world to read in a single lifetime; you have to draw the line somewhere." --Diane Setterfield, The Thirteenth Tale

What I'm reading now:  Bullspotting: Finding Facts in the Age of Misinformation, by Loren Collins.

 

 

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"There are too many books in the world to read in a single lifetime; you have to draw the line somewhere." --Diane Setterfield, The Thirteenth Tale

What I'm reading now:  Bullspotting: Finding Facts in the Age of Misinformation, by Loren Collins.

 

 

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post #9 of 20
4/9/12 at 5:55am
Thread Starter 

Very good point Buster52...Thank You for your insight.  I am not sure if there is a grain mill here in Georgia......There isn't much agriculture here. We have only lived here for 2 years and I haven't actually looked for one. So I will have to do some digging!  Thank You !

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post #10 of 20
4/9/12 at 6:12am
Quote:
Originally Posted by shadowmane View Post

Its not so much the food, as it is our water supply.  If you get any kind of city water, you're going to have all of that and more in your water supply.  Organic food is simply grown without pesticides.  I think its hard to find feed for chickens that don't have GMO corn or soybean in it, whether its organic or not.


It isn't only in the city water ... if one were to test one's own well water, one will be quite surprised  with the very similar results. You see, most city water comes from deep wells, much  deeper than one's own.   hu.gif
 

 

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