I want to feed them Organic & Non GMO -- but the price is just too high!

[10xmama]

Is it possible to feed Organic & Non GMO at a reasonable cost? The cheapest I have found is $36.50 per 50lb bag of Countryside Organics. The farm that sells it is an hour away from me. So figure the time and gas into it .... and that they only recommend you buy 3 months at a time ... It just seems out-of-the-ballpark!

I have looked into making my own but there again -- the price of bulk grains is just as expensive. I have read so many people pleased with Azure Standard but as far as I can tell on their website they do not have a route here in FL?

I am a bit discouraged with this quest and am thinking I may have to concede to some conventional feed?

What do you feel the best most affordable option is?

 

[SunnySkies]

I ended up conceding. I did get a bag of Countryside when I traveled to VA for work in March. My birds were not crazy about it, not enough to make me justify the cost plus shipping or traveling to pick it up. So that made me feel better about using what I use. They eat it with little waste.

 

[TXchickmum]

I look at it with common sense. Do you and your family consume organic non/gmo foods? If so, then you are already eating a good and healthy diet. If the chickens eat conventional feed, and a small/minute amount of "something" transfers to the egg, is it really a huge deal? I personally don't think so. I would feel fine consuming free-range eggs from conventionally fed birds especially if non-gmo/organic fruits, vegetables, milk, and meat were an integral part of the family's diet. (just my opinion) Also, you know what necessities are budgeted for your family. There are (IMO) many other things of significant importance to the family's overall health and well-being that perhaps trump organic feed for the chickens.

We do feed organic/non-GMO feed to our chickens. It comes down to eliminating something extra, such as an evening out, to purchase the more expensive bag of feed. -not a big deal to us to give up some entertainment venue that costs for a family night out at the park walking the trails and watching the wildlife around the pond. Now, if it was a matter of giving up a new pair of glasses for a child (due to a change in prescription) to be able to afford the feed - it's a no brainer. The chickens get good ol' conventional feed and the child gets the needed glasses!

 

[ChickensRDinos]

This year I switched from a standard commercial feed to a soy-free, corn-free organic starter feed. I had been wanting to make the switch for awhile but $18 a bag to $38 a bag was a huge jump so I wanted to make sure I could cut other costs before I started. I do buy Azure Standard but I believe they are west coast only -- I could be wrong.

I think so matter what you are looking at $35-40 a bag for the feed. Maybe $30 if you get lucky. I also have to drive about 45 mins one way to get the feed. I think if you want to do it you have to find other ways to save money so your overall cost doesn't jump unreasonably high.

With the commercial feed I was going through 1 50 lbs bag every 4-5 weeks for my 6 hens. I started growing a fodder blend with organic red wheat berries and barley and I also add in a little BOSS which is the only thing I am feeding right now that is not organic. With the fodder 1 lb of grains becomes about 6 lbs of healthy sprouts -- a HUGE return on investment. This makes the bulk grains last a really long time. Also, by adding the brick of fodder everyday I have cut down the feed I buy to 1 40 lbs bag every 8 weeks. It is still more expensive but not nearly as expensive as I originally thought. I also let them out to free range when I am home (which is only about 1 hour or 2 a night due to a hawk problem) and I farm my own meal worms and red worms.

 

[kimi]

I'm not sure where you live but we pay 23.50 for a 50 # bag of Organic- no corn/no soy feed here http://www.montanaflour.com/big-sky-organic-layer-mash-chicken-feed-no-corn-no-soy/

The problem is Shipping if you don't live within pick up range. We have a truck driver friend that picks our order up every 3 months!

 

[10xmama]

I am in FL ... montana flour won't ship anything more than a bag at a time to me .. and the shipping is unreal. I have 10 kids Though we could sacrifice to feed the chickens nonGMO I think it may not be the best choice. If it removes our ability to enjoy special treats and activities with our kids, then I think I will have to give up on the idea of feeding my chickens organic feed.

I have searched and search for places with nonGMO feed that can ship it to me .... but it is always cost prohibitive. (((SIGH)))

So, if you can't feed organic .... what's the best commercial feed?

 

[TXchickmum]

I fed my small flock Purina flock raiser for several months prior to switching. They loved it. (also, supplemented with oyster grit) -and, a previous poster mentioned farming worms and letting the chickens free-range (to whatever extent is feasible) is beneficial. We give our gals time on the lawn, fresh fruits and vegetables from the garden, and harvest soldier fly larvae from the compost bin. (My daughter loves harvesting worms from the bin. Worm farming - that's a fun one for kids to be involved with!) We average one bag of feed per month for 7 standard and 2 bantam hens.

-and on a side note: 10 kids - what a blessing!! -nothing more enriching to one's life than family!

 

[KYTinpusher]

Azure Standard expanded their delivery area a few months ago. I know they are coming as far east as Kentucky now, not sure where else. I have been looking at their organic feed. I used to feed organic, but I had to drive an hour one-way to get it and the cost became prohibative. I switched to Flockraiser and they don't go through nearly as much of it. Not sure if that is a good thing or a bad thing, but the budget sure likes it. Now that I am retired and have more time, I want to see if I can get back to using organic by fermenting the feed and growing fodder.

 

[Percheron chick]

It's not that hard to go non GMO and it's much cheaper than organic. I can buy non GMO feed from a chicken rancher for $.50/#. Cost from the mill is probably closer to .37/#. He has a custom mix done that does not contain corn or soy. Check with your local mill and see what they can do for you. You might have to buy 500#-1 ton but you might be able to create a side business and sell the excess on CL (or here) because you're not the only person looking for a non GMO product.

 

[SunnySkies]

I also use Flock Raiser. I have a mixed flock both in ages and species. Can't find non-GMO alone, and the local farm-produced feed is almost as expensive as CS, so it is what it is. I have...um...50....80...I dunno...birds. 2 bags a week for the lot (for now...I expect the meaties will eventually eat a bag a week or thereabouts). All but the meat chicks free range, although while dealing with a coon issue, I kept the younger birds confined which meant we used more feed.

Hubby was furloughed, so I'm giving the free range chickens all the kitchen scraps and garden leavings now instead of composting them to see if we can get down to 1 bag a week.