If ever there was a subject that is confusing and full of differing options and opinions, this is it. After reading 15 pages of this thread I am still not certain what to feed my ladies when we make the switch to layer feed. I definitely want to stay organic, as we are now, but the controversy over soy, fish meal, field peas not being tasty enough, and all the other ingredients, has my head spinning.
Soy is in many organic feeds. It is the main ingredient to get the protein up to proper levels. Many people have issues with soy, and simply don't want it in their feed. Fish meal has its proponents and its detractors. Some say it is great, and others worry about where the fish comes from, and that there are no truly organic fish to make meal from. Then there is the issue of the fish meal going rancid.
Also, there is the issue of where to find the feed. Trying to buy local can be a challenge for some of us. Shipping in the feed has cost factors involved too. And, after reading enough articles on making your own feed, it seems to be not too cost effective and a real problem getting the protein and other nutrient levels right.
Commercial feed has many problems too. If you want to go commercial for the convenience of finding it, you have to be willing to sacrifice staying non-GMO. And how many do I read love Purina Layena, and how many say it is horrible? Same with many other commercial brands.
I am clueless as to what is the "best" brand of chicken feed, as the title of this thread says. i use Green Mountain organics right now, and I am wondering if the soy in it is a good or bad thing to have. At times I feel like I want to throw the whole organic thing over the wall and buy a commercial brand simply because it is made by a larger company who must be in a position to hire nutritional experts to make sure their feed is properly balanced and has all the necessary nutrients for healthy chickens. But then I get back to the GMO, pesticide, and where were those grains and ingredients sourced. Try reading a Purina label and tell me what and where those plant based items come from. And what plant grains are they? i did not see any revealed on the label.
Okay, I'm done ranting. I simply want an easy answer to what would work, is safe, and brings all the necessary healthy ingredients in one package. Right now we try to feed the girls better than we do ourselves. At least we think we do. Finding the best feed that meets ours and the chicken's requirements should be so much easier than this.
Soy is in many organic feeds. It is the main ingredient to get the protein up to proper levels. Many people have issues with soy, and simply don't want it in their feed. Fish meal has its proponents and its detractors. Some say it is great, and others worry about where the fish comes from, and that there are no truly organic fish to make meal from. Then there is the issue of the fish meal going rancid.
Also, there is the issue of where to find the feed. Trying to buy local can be a challenge for some of us. Shipping in the feed has cost factors involved too. And, after reading enough articles on making your own feed, it seems to be not too cost effective and a real problem getting the protein and other nutrient levels right.
Commercial feed has many problems too. If you want to go commercial for the convenience of finding it, you have to be willing to sacrifice staying non-GMO. And how many do I read love Purina Layena, and how many say it is horrible? Same with many other commercial brands.
I am clueless as to what is the "best" brand of chicken feed, as the title of this thread says. i use Green Mountain organics right now, and I am wondering if the soy in it is a good or bad thing to have. At times I feel like I want to throw the whole organic thing over the wall and buy a commercial brand simply because it is made by a larger company who must be in a position to hire nutritional experts to make sure their feed is properly balanced and has all the necessary nutrients for healthy chickens. But then I get back to the GMO, pesticide, and where were those grains and ingredients sourced. Try reading a Purina label and tell me what and where those plant based items come from. And what plant grains are they? i did not see any revealed on the label.
Okay, I'm done ranting. I simply want an easy answer to what would work, is safe, and brings all the necessary healthy ingredients in one package. Right now we try to feed the girls better than we do ourselves. At least we think we do. Finding the best feed that meets ours and the chicken's requirements should be so much easier than this.
