Genetically modified chicken feed

[BeardedLadyFarm]

I'm sorry people want to start a fight before a conversation can even begin.

I do usually feed organic. It can be hard to track down organic feed, and is much more expensive.

I think the chickens perform the same on either, and the eggs are pretty much identical.

The main reason for going organic isn't just to avoid chemical exposure to the person/animal eating it, it's to support farmers who don't rely on chemical inputs to grow their crops. These are generally small farmers, not subsided by tax dollars, who don't want to see pesticides and fertilizers enter our environment. I support them when I buy organic, and my customers support me and them when they buy my eggs. It is also more likely that you will find a local supplier of organic feed, rather than having the Purina feed shipped from across the country. I like to consider the carbon footprint, as well as the potential environmental impact from GMO's, herbicides, pesticides, and fertilizers.

If you can get the price to justify the feed, I say go for it! You may considering going soy free, if you can find a market for those eggs. People with severe soy allergies often can't eat soy-fed eggs, so they'll pay even more for your product.

 

[Elite Silkies]

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I just finished Biology/Discovering Nutrition and we studied GM foods. I don't see any harm in GM foods at all. So, I'm with you on this one. I am also Majoring in Nursing and minoring in Psychology. Hopefully, one day I'll be a PA. I'm a little too old now to further my career in a Doctorate Degree.

 

[cafarmgirl]

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I apologize. I am very sorry for not being helpful. Lazy J Farms just made me laugh a bit. And none of us were or are trying to start a fight!

No I don't feed organic and no I don't think it's worth it in regards simply to GMO ingredients. A bazillion other folks will have a different opinion and very good reasons for those opinions. So ultimately you will have to decide what is most important to you and what you are or are not willing to pay for.

 

[Elite Silkies]

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Your statement is very true. Even with the advances and the GM foods, we are still producing less food than we need for the current population.

 

[bock]

Thanks Philadelphia. I will look around for some local, organic feed. The closest I have found is a supplier in Modesto. Not local, but not REALLY far away either, but the price is getting up there. I won't give up though! That's another thing. People say they don't think organic is worth it for their health, which is their choice. But the planet and the organic farmers suffer in the end. Sad really.

I also worry about how much I will sell my eggs for, because I already am unsure of how many costumers I will have. There is a lady about 5 miles from us who sells hers for $3 a dozen, but she lives on a busier road than us. She feeds Purina. We live in a small subdivision with 3 neighbors, but I would put signs out too. If not enough people buy, there is a feed store that buys eggs for $2 and sells them for $3. On CL, I see them listed usually for $2.50, sometimes lower or as much as $4. It just depends. I am going to shoot for $3. I am going to start making signs soon. We got 9 eggs today.

 

[bock]

No hard feelings everyone. I just thought the thread was going to get closed before I could even talk to you guys about it. I understand where you are coming from. I still think organic is best for me, but it isn't for everyone. And you have a point about the shortage of food.

 

[RHRanch]

I think this is really about your personal beliefs and what matters to you. If eating organic is important to you, than it makes sense to feed organic to your birds, especially if you eat the eggs. It is more costly, but often people will pay more for organic - it just depends on your area. I don't think this area is as black and white as some may try to paint it. For example, I recently read that some heritage vegetables are in fact more nutritious than some of thier non-heritage or hybid counterparts. Thants not the same as organic, but it does speak to the subtle differences to be found from different food sources.

PS - Considering food shortages: Ask yourself, how much energy, water, etc. does it cost to feed animals to raise for consumption, could the land & resources be used to produce food for humans instead? Also, is there a true lack of food, or a lack of acessability to food? If there is a problem with food supply, why is that? Again, these issues are more complex than "can we grow enough, etc."

 

[Elite Silkies]

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I say, if you feel better feeding your guys organic, then I would certainly do it. I personally would go broke trying to feed my little piggies organic

It certainly isn't going to hurt them either way, I don't think.

 

[satsuki23]

Hi I saw this post and I wanted to give my opinion on chicken feed. I buy from a local farmer who uses 6 whole grains and Fertrell minerals it cost me 10 to 11 dollars a 50lb bag. He admits it is not organic because he feritilizes and sprays for weeds but it contains whole grains not Plant proteins which large companies buy to safe money. Plus I like supporting my local farmer.

 

[Chris09]

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I have to ask do you know what Plant Proteins are?
If your feed is a "Vegetarian" feed (NO Animal protein) then it IS a Plant Protein based feed.
The only way to not feed Plant Proteins is not to feed plants.

Chris