Cascade Layer Poultry Feed, Organic...Anyone use?UPDATED: Got my feed!

[foxinachickenhouse]

We use the Cascade layer and started on the Cascade starter. Everyone is happy and healthy and they love it. Personally, I like that it's a mash. I only wish I could get it from more locations than the Urban farm store. Or directly from Magill. UFS is inconvenient and well, the only option. Magill - Any chance of another location in the future? Or setting up a co-op type drop location? I bet we can make it worth another drop somewhere in town with as many chicken peeps as there are in PDX.

 

[Carpe DiHen]

Quote:
Hi foxinachickenhouse,

Have you looked into Azure Standard? I live off Hi-50 above Sacramento CA, and I was able to find a drop ship point near my town of Placerville, CA. There were quite a few to choose from! Here's the info about drop shipments from Azure:

http://www.azurestandard.com/getting-started

I just called Azure and they gave me a few to choose from. It is kinda co-op like.

Hope that helps!

 

[luvanimals2]

Carpe Di Hen, I have been reading this thread because I will be getting chicks and wanted to feed them organic. I had a problem with the local organic feed. I guess it has been hot and the last 2 batches have been bug infested. I called Azure to ask about the drop ship location and it is not far from here, I spoke to the lady and she gave me the shipper number. They do not ship here until the 2nd of Nov. Could you kindly come back and tell us how your hens liked the feed? I would appreciate it. I know these people that have chickens and I went over to their home and just asked them where they buy their feed and they said it was Cascade through Azure Standard too. They said that their hens have only had this feed and that they LOVE it so that was good to hear. I am just worried to buy 50lbs and being stuck. I doubt it.

Nancy

 

[Carpe DiHen]

Quote:
Hi Nancy,

I will absolutely check in and let you know my experience with the Cascade feed and the drop ship. I am buying (2) 50lb bags and I was hesitant to commit to that much as first too, but now I am very glad I decided to get them.
I pick up the feed this Monday (10/18), and I will probable mix with my old feed for a week or so, then go completely to the Cascade. My hens are laying so I will be able to check the quality of the eggs too (I'll bet they'll get better!).

 

[HeritageHens]

All chickens are different but mine like it just fine. I'm going to be switching from the starter to the grower here shortly. I have about 35 pounds left of the starter which should take me though their 12th week - just the perfect time to switch over to grower. I was going to switch over to buying from Azure until I realized that the Urban Farm Store price was only $2 more than Azure and they are convenient to me. I've heard lots of good things about Azure so I'm sure you will be satisfied all around!

 

[qbarfarm]

Let's get this straight, I never said the feed wasn't any good. I was just questioning the claims about wheat middlings as not being a by-product. Since ALL the definitions I could find state it is a by-product.
As far as competition? You got it wrong. I commend anyone who makes SAFE feed. Here's Why:

We had a large herd of pigs that, over time, became toxic on feed made by companies that are using GRAIN from areas of the country that are too high in Selenium. Then they added more without testing first. All proven by the Oregon Department of Agriculture. The pigs were sick and many had to be put down. We were never offered one dime for our losses. That is why we started making our own feed with locally grown grains. When the pigs, we were able to save, miraculously improved, we decided to put the screws to these unscrupulous companies by telling the world what we found.
We were approached by many people, who found the same problem with their feeds and animals, and asked if we could make feed for them too. So, we got a license to sell it. If we can put a dent in the pockets of the Bozo's who killed our pigs and pig business (300 sows), We're gonna do it. And, we welcome any other company who helps take some of the wind out of their sails. Because they didn't even care. They just walked away and refused to sell us feed because we had the feed tested and figured out their dirty little secret. We even had the Top Selenium and Swine Researcher in the country tell them in person that the feed was bad. They just walked away in denial of any complaints and any responsibility. I am talking about two MAJOR feed manufacturers, but they ALL have been tested.
So if you want to know why you don't like their feed, but just couldn't figure out why? Now you know. Anyone who writes to me by e-mail I will show the test results to you. They are also posted in the website of the Oregon Department of Agriculture. I call it the "mountain of test results" that all come to the same conclusion. I won't mention the Companies names here, but you can see them at the ODA website.
SO that is how we came about making feed. My husband enjoys making the feed and is very good at it. And, since it is not made with those horrible, high Selenium grains, people are noticing a big difference in the health of their animals. We had a lot of input from customers in designing a feed with ingredients that they wanted to see in the mix.
We personally would like to see more companies, make safe feed. If we could have found safe pig feed in 2007, we never would have started making feed at all. The need is great, and we aren't big enough to supply the whole country. Nor do we wish to be that big. Our business is all "word of mouth" and we don't know how long it will take before we can even supply all the people who want us to make feed for them. People are realizing the difference and are beating down the doors for something that doesn't make the animals sick.

So, in conclusion, if you notice a big difference in your animals with a feed that is not made with grains grown in Toxic Soil, then I will be a happy camper. We are just in it to see that these Ripoff Conglomerate Feed Manufacturers quit soaking people and killing animals. And I can guarantee if I get kicked off this board, it will be because the "powers that be" don't want to upset their Major Feed Conglomerate advertisers.

Any Questions?

 

[Carpe DiHen]

Gee qbarfarm, that's an sad story. I'm so sorry about you loosing your pigs and having to go to battle. That is so stressful and so exhausting. No wonder you are so careful to study ingredients.

It's such a shame it's so hard and more expensive to go organic. I only have six pet chickens for eggs, but I want to eat range fed chickens raised organically. So, I pay $20.00 for a local raised bird instead of $6.00 for a grocery store chicken raised inhumane. Right now I can afford it and believe I am investing my $$ in a voice toward local sustainable agriculture.

My drop ship contact for Azure is starting a non-profit business to promote healthy organic lifestyles. It feels like we are such a small voice, but the more we all talk and make people aware, the better it is for the planet.

(on the soap box again!)

Thank you for clarifying and sharing your story.

 

[foxinachickenhouse]

I looked in to Azure standard and didn't see a price listed. I'll look more closely at them. If it's only a couple bucks cheaper I'll stick with UFS. Magill is so close to us, it would be great to have more local retailers in the area. I noticed today that Concentrates NW carries it too, so I'll check there. I took another look at the feed yesterday and noticed that even though its a mash they don't grind it super fine which is nice, you can see the whole grains, peas and such. I like being able to identify the components of the feed. I hope they don't go to pellets, we keep bantams alongside our standards and I understand that the smaller birds have a hard time with the pellets. Please correct me if I'm wrong on that...

 

[Carpe DiHen]

Quote:
You have to create an account at Azure to see the prices. I think the price changes depending on what type of account your create(?). Here is the price of the layer:

Cascade Layer Poultry Feed, Organic
Price: $27.25
Code: GP416
Size: 50 lbs
Weight 51.0 lb.

I like how you can see the pieces of peas and grains too. I'll get my own view tomorrow!

 

[HeritageHens]

Quote:
I have a price list from August 24th from Concentrates. It does not list Cascade starter, grower, or pullet food. They list Cascade scratch though (50# 3 grain = $18). They did list Payback which I won't use since I read (abet not confirmed) that the soybean meal is organic but grown in China.

If you go there and find something different, could you let us know? Thanks.

I just noticed Concentrates has 50# of BOSS for $22.00. That's a good price for around here.