Egg production dropping on organic layer feed?

[ReillyJ]

I have been feeding Scratch n' Peck for a few months now. I mix it about 50/50 with a local (less expensive) non-GMO feed because I like the probiotics in the Sn'P. I LOVE it, and so do my chickens. I recently started fermenting it also. My chickens have experienced a slow down in laying in the same period as the OP, but not as much as some others in my area. Much of it is due to molt - my farm looks like there was an explosion at a pillow factory! What I have noticed is that the eggs got smaller for a bit, but the eggs are much more uniform, and better, in shape, color and shell quality. I have also had excellent fertility and very healthy, robust chicks hatch from these eggs. The feather quality on the birds that are finishing up their molts is very high. These factors tell me that they are getting a superior nutrition. I think my chickens' bodies are putting priority right now on getting healthier and not laying eggs. I am expecting excellent egg production again, but probably not until spring.

Any time you switch feeds, there can be an adjustment period. Chickens are not fond of change. Time of year can have an affect on their laying. Also, the OP did not mention what breed(s) of chickens she has. Not all breeds will lay full-steam all year. Heritage breeds and those bred for other qualities (egg color, show quality, etc) are going to have more periods of slow or non-laying than say production leghorns.

I, for one, would rather have eggs that I know did not come from chickens fed that GMO CRAP.

Well that's how i feel! But i am willing to experiment and maybe add in the non GMO organic layer pellet from another CO just in case they're missing something but it'll mean corn and soy which i'm not thrilled with but the addition may benefit them?

I just cannot fathom that commercial Layena crap... Also yes mine were going through a molt and changes and they are for sure still laying but the days are much shorter.

The description of my hens is in my sig line. It seems the Wyandotte and Susie the possible RIR (or red sex link) lay a bit more than the two EE

 

[GreenMountainEric]

Most Commercial laying formulas are not full of "Crap". They are filled with the complete opposite of that. Most are manufactured with the ingredients that are 1) Readily Available. 2) Can maintain consistent nutrient levels from shipment to shipment. 3) Will provide the best health, and production, for your birds.

Contrary to popular opinion, these feed companies would rather sell a good product, than a cheap one. Especially when performance is easily traceable........ The cheaper brands, and the products you find at the "Big Box" stores, are usually lower in quality, but still perform well enough. Even big name brands will manufacture a different product, with the same name, for the big box stores. I know the formulations for the big feed companies (in the northeast at least...), and most of them are VERY high quality. Blue Seal, Poulin Grain, Nutrena, and Purina, all make very good formulations, and they are all made at local mills.

Corn might be considered a "filler" ingredient to some folks, however, it is completely the opposite. There is not a more important ingredient in an average layer feed. Wheat is the only other ingredient that can match the production performance of corn, in a layer diet (or broiler diet). The drawback to wheat, is pale yolks. And then we have soy....... It may not be a good thing for most humans to eat directly (and I do know that) However, in a chickens diet, there is not a more comprehensive source of Amino acids available in the commodity market. It is not used because it is cheap. It is used, because it outperforms anything else available. I am sure the feed manufacturers would LOVE to be able to stop using soy. It is much more expensive than the other commercially available protein sources.... But those protein sources don't offer the pound per pound performance, or the flexibility of soy. Not to mention, the Amino acid profile, of soy, is perfect for a chickens needs.


With all of that said, Scratch and Peck is making a great alternative product. It is made without those controversial grains, and is a nice blend of small grains, peas, fishmeal, vitamins and minerals, etc. It is a nice little blend for your chickens. However, it is not going to perform as well as a Corn/soy diet. It is the trade off, of taking those ingredients out. You can either have optimum health, and optimum production. Or you can have a diet that is free of the ingredients that us humans don't want. Both are good options. It is all about what you prefer.

If having Organic is the most important thing- There are plenty of optimized organic feeds available that will perform as good, or better, than your average conventional product. There are also Organic products that still have corn, but are soy-free. You may want to try that, if you want to keep the soy out.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Most Commercial laying formulas are not full of "Crap". They are filled with the complete opposite of that. Most are manufactured with the ingredients that are 1) Readily Available. 2) Can maintain consistent nutrient levels from shipment to shipment. 3) Will provide the best health, and production, for your birds.

Contrary to popular opinion, these feed companies would rather sell a good product, than a cheap one. Especially when performance is easily traceable........ The cheaper brands, and the products you find at the "Big Box" stores, are usually lower in quality, but still perform well enough. Even big name brands will manufacture a different product, with the same name, for the big box stores. I know the formulations for the big feed companies (in the northeast at least...), and most of them are VERY high quality. Blue Seal, Poulin Grain, Nutrena, and Purina, all make very good formulations, and they are all made at local mills.

Corn might be considered a "filler" ingredient to some folks, however, it is completely the opposite. There is not a more important ingredient in an average layer feed. Wheat is the only other ingredient that can match the production performance of corn, in a layer diet (or broiler diet). The drawback to wheat, is pale yolks. And then we have soy....... It may not be a good thing for most humans to eat directly (and I do know that) However, in a chickens diet, there is not a more comprehensive source of Amino acids available in the commodity market. It is not used because it is cheap. It is used, because it outperforms anything else available. I am sure the feed manufacturers would LOVE to be able to stop using soy. It is much more expensive than the other commercially available protein sources.... But those protein sources don't offer the pound per pound performance, or the flexibility of soy. Not to mention, the Amino acid profile, of soy, is perfect for a chickens needs.


With all of that said, Scratch and Peck is making a great alternative product. It is made without those controversial grains, and is a nice blend of small grains, peas, fishmeal, vitamins and minerals, etc. It is a nice little blend for your chickens. However, it is not going to perform as well as a Corn/soy diet. It is the trade off, of taking those ingredients out. You can either have optimum health, and optimum production. Or you can have a diet that is free of the ingredients that us humans don't want. Both are good options. It is all about what you prefer.

If having Organic is the most important thing- There are plenty of optimized organic feeds available that will perform as good, or better, than your average conventional product. There are also Organic products that still have corn, but are soy-free. You may want to try that, if you want to keep the soy out.

Well said - I think a lot of confusion about what is good/bad/crap/etc. stems from looking at a food produced for one species from the standpoint of what is good/bad for a totally different species -- ie the soy issue of diet for humans vs. diet for poultry -- and corn too.

 

[GreenMountainEric]

Well said - I think a lot of confusion about what is good/bad/crap/etc. stems from looking at a food produced for one species from the standpoint of what is good/bad for a totally different species -- ie the soy issue of diet for humans vs. diet for poultry -- and corn too.

Yes, that is exactly right. We obviously know that excessive amounts of corn, and or soy, are not good for a humans diet. And I certainly wouldn't be surprised if a company used "filler" ingredients, in a feed that was not production based. If one of these feed companies did that, the customers would see an instant change in performance, and overall health. (unless the farmer was properly supplementing otherwise. Most don't) And they would earn a reputation FAST. Especially up here. Our food supply in VT has become VERY local, and everyone talks about these things at farmer meetings, farmers markets, co-ops, etc.

Optimum performance is job#1. Cost is job#2. There have been companies, up here, that got those backwards. They aren't in business anymore.

 

[CrazyTalk]

With all of that said, Scratch and Peck is making a great alternative product.

I agree with everything you said but this - they're making a product that is deliberately substandard because they can charge a higher premium on it - they're taking advantage of ignorance, and in the process, with their marketing, continuing to spread that ignorance, and legitimize it.

Products like this are why these silly, agenda driven, philosophy based trends are gaining ground over foods that are actually designed to fit the bird's needs. Products like this are why some people think that "no animal based protiens" is a good thing. Products like this are why people think soy and corn are bad for these birds.

The "No SOY! No Corn! No Animal Protiens!" on the bag, from a well known, respected company makes people think those things are bad.

 

[GreenMountainEric]

I agree with everything you said but this - they're making a product that is deliberately substandard because they can charge a higher premium on it - they're taking advantage of ignorance, and in the process, with their marketing, continuing to spread that ignorance, and legitimize it.

Products like this are why these silly, agenda driven, philosophy based trends are gaining ground over foods that are actually designed to fit the bird's needs. Products like this are why some people think that "no animal based protiens" is a good thing. Products like this are why people think soy and corn are bad for these birds.

The "No SOY! No Corn! No Animal Protiens!" on the bag, from a well known, respected company makes people think those things are bad.

I tend to agree with everything you said. One thing I would say, is that, SnP's feed isn't necessarily a poor product. It is just not designed for high production levels.

 

[KYTinpusher]

I did not say that corn and soy are crap. The local feed that I mix with the Sn'P actually contains both. I think it benefits my chickens. I said "GMO CRAP". I believe GMOs are detrimental to my family's health and my bird's health too, and I choose to avoid them. And most mass produced commercial feeds are full of GMO grains as they are cheaper and more readily available (for now) than organic and/or conventional grains.

 

[CrazyTalk]

I believe GMOs are detrimental to my family's health and my bird's health too, and I choose to avoid them. And most mass produced commercial feeds are full of GMO grains as they are cheaper and more readily available (for now) than organic and/or conventional grains.

Believe whatever you want - the science says otherwise.

GMOs are more prevalent because they grow better, cost less to grow, and use less fertilizer and pesticides. They're a very useful tool in the farmer's toolbelt.

 

[GreenMountainEric]

I did not say that corn and soy are crap. The local feed that I mix with the Sn'P actually contains both. I think it benefits my chickens. I said "GMO CRAP". I believe GMOs are detrimental to my family's health and my bird's health too, and I choose to avoid them. And most mass produced commercial feeds are full of GMO grains as they are cheaper and more readily available (for now) than organic and/or conventional grains.

I definitely understand your concerns with GMOs. My post wasn't directed at your posts. Sorry for the confusion.

 

[BeulahBreezes]

My understanding of GMO's is that there is less chemicals, pesticides, etc. sprayed over the plants because the chemicals, pesticides, etc are already inside the seed or kernel......~Beulah