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

[Cindy in PA]

This is not organic, but it is non-gmo and non-soy and it's extremely well-priced, from Tucker Milling out of Alabama. It's only about $13/ 50#, believe it or not.

Wow SpeckledHen I am so jealous! A Non GMO feed with fishmeal with a reasonable price! Here in Suburbia there are still no good options of any kind of feed that I can buy with fishmeal in pellets! You are so lucky.

 

[speckledhen]

I picked it up yesterday and it really was $13 for 50#. The pellets are even more "mini" than their usual mini layer pellets. Looks nice, smells a little different than the regular layer, probably due to the fishmeal, not bad, not like chemicals like that Purina garbage (ick). So, we shall see how they do on it.

I never have trouble with my Tucker Milling feeds being dusty or smelling bad. I use their chick starter exclusively because it's a true crumble, not powdery, but of course, that is not a non-gmo feed, at least, not yet.

 

[matt44644]

Not an expert here,but I've read alot of posts on here that when the first ingredient is wheat,the production levels are usually low.

 

[speckledhen]

Not an expert here,but I've read alot of posts on here that when the first ingredient is wheat,the production levels are usually low.

The needs in my own flock are such that this feed would be a good replacement for regular soy based layer. I have many older non producing or low producing hens, seven roosters and two cockerels. Production is not a concern of mine, generally, though I have no idea if what you say is true or not. I was looking for a healthier feed to provide across the board nutrition for my flocks, including the roosters and old ladies. There are many reasons to choose a feed such as this one.

And even if someone cuts their regular feeds with one such as this, it would seem to be of some benefit. Since it's very cost effective at this price level, I see no reason to bypass it, at least for me. I'll let you know what happens with egg production later, but the ages in my flocks are all over the place, not a person with fifty sex links for egg production here, so I'm not sure my information would help you any.

 

[matt44644]

Quote: I didn't say don't buy it.If it works for you then great.But some people are looking for egg production.I assume the person who started the thread that has 141 posts probably doesn't have the experience as you with 67k.

 

[speckledhen]

I didn't say don't buy it.If it works for you then great.But some people are looking for egg production.I assume the person who started the thread that has 141 posts probably doesn't have the experience as you with 67k.

I didn't say you said don't buy it, matt. I just stated my reasons for wanting the feed, is all. Not sure why that was a problem?

I said I wasn't aware of production issues with wheat as the first ingredient and I have no idea, because I did not research that, because it was not important to me with my situation. Someone who needs to know that would certainly want to research it.

Just because someone has few posts does not mean they don't have experience. I know plenty of folks who have much more than I who are not huge contributors on the forum. Conversely, a big post count does not mean they know anything, either.

 

[CrazyTalk]

If you're looking for high production, stay with the corn and soy. If you're looking for low cost, stay with the corn and soy. Non-GMO and Organic foods are going to cost significantly more than the typical foods because they require drastically more work, more cropland, and more pesticides to grow the ingredients (Yes, organics use pesticides too - they're just less effective, and natural) than 'conventional' agriculture.

If Organic is important to you, you're going to pay extra for it. If non-GMO is important to you, you're generally are going to get a nutritionally inferior product, because it's not going to be corn based, and not going to have had nearly the amount of research and testing put into it.

Edited by staff

 

[chicbaby]

my thinking is i cant afford not to buy organic. the costs for poisonous gmo products is obvious when you look at the destruction of the land, health problems, birth defects, cancer, autoimmune disorders.. the list goes on. glyphosate is an insidious poison and actually interferes with the soil microorganisms so the plants can not take up the minerals they need and it destroys all of these nutrients and microorganisms that are so vital to our health. the bees and butterflies are almost gone. do you know einstein said we couldnt last more than 2 years as a species without the bees?

we are not being told the truth about these poisons, and now they just approved agent orange to be sprayed along with the glyphosate on crops. every year, they have to spray more and more because the bugs and weeds are resistant. only a human is stupid enough to keep doing the same thing over and over when what they are doing is not working.

glyphosate was actually originally patented as a fungicide and you can read more about all of these studies coming out on mercola . com they also did some research linking all of the problem people are having with wheat to the glyphosate, i know if i eat conventional wheat i have digestive problems which i dont have when i eat organic, so we very rarely eat gmo wheat.

its also been shown that our gut microflora, which are vital for us to get anything of value out of our food, is destroyed by eating gmo products. this is why so many people are obese and cant stop eating, they arent getting any nutrition out of the food. we buy as much organic as possible and dont shop at the regular grocery store or buy conglomerate foods.

we pay 30 dollars for 40 pound bags of ranch way organic which is based in colorado. there are also buying clubs which you can get discounts for buying in bulk on line. you could order bulk organic grains seperately and then mix them. you could also ferment your feed, which we do, which makes it last alot longer and its healthier for them too. they also get other things like seasonal veggies, i mix lentils, split peas, wheat berries and oats in as well as boss. you can try health food stores which give discounts on bulk such as natural grocers also. giving your chickens a variety of food is more natural for them and they will be happier and healthier and it can also help you save money. you can even go to restaurants or health food stores and ask for kitchen scraps for chickens. many times they will give them to you.

fermenting is easy and ours only has a small bread smell to it if you stick your head in the bucket. the flies stay away from our chickens even though we have them around our other animals. we are actually going to start fermenting feed for our goats as well and give them a small amount along with their hay and grazing.

our health insurance is eating well and enjoying our positive contribution to the world. i would rather spend a little extra money on food then pay out the nose for crappy western medicine which doesnt even help anyway. plus our quality of life is better. we are not kept functionally ill from chronic issues and feel good.
we are at a crossroads as a species and will eliminate ourselves if we dont change what we are doing. its up to us as people who already want to take a step in the right direction to demand with our dollars a healthy happy life and support farmers who are growing organic grains.

i talked to the people at beeler who raise heritage pigs and they do their best to get non gmo grains and notice a difference in the health of their animals when they cant get them. the more of us who demand better food, the more farmers will start growing the way they used to. their yields are down for the gmo crops compared to organic and they are losing alot of money to monsanto. we need to encourage them to do the right thing and ask for non gmo. more and more farmers are growing non gmo for these very reasons. the prices will go down the more people start growing. this is already happening, if you look at the stats on how much is being spent on and how many people want non gmo. we can create this change with our dollars, for that is the only thing these companies care about. this is why it is vital to support non gmo and organic. our very lives depend on it.

disease is not normal or natural. we have been conditioned to think it is. disease only comes about from imbalance and poisons. its natural to be healthy and to feel good. we have to stop buying these lies. do we deserve to be poisoned and lied to just for some profits? i dont think so.

how important is quality of life to someone? its everything and we have to remember we can have that. we are what we eat. if you are not as healthy as you would like to be, change what you are eating and drinking. i didnt even mention the ground water being poisoned as well. how long can anyone go without water? a day? i choose to live in a beautiful world with bees and butterflies and food that is nutritious and good for you.

buying organic is not just a personal choice, its a choice that affects everyone all over the world. if you look at whats happening in south america and all the birth defects and illness around any giant gmo producer, it will make you think twice and make more of an effort to be able to afford organic. we can create the lives we want and we can decide, we just have to let go of the resistance and judgment which keeps us from having things we may feel are unattainable. anything is possible if you believe it is. life is a self fulfilling prophecy.

these are my feelings and i am glad you brought this up to be talked about. its not right we as individuals should be forced to make these decisions, when it can be difficult, but such is life and we can rise to the challenge and turn it all around. humans have just as much potential for beauty and happiness as they do in creating destruction. its just a choice.

 

[appps]

Can I make an observation about organic foods in general, not particularly chicken food? Hate to say it but a lot of it is pure marketing hype and not organic at all in my opinion (which granted may not be worth much )

We cut out all additives and preservatives a while back so of course I thought to buy chemical additive free i'll head on over to the organic section. What an eye opener that was, after all the work and trouble to produce something organically they then managed to add just as many and in some cases more ! artificial colours, flavours and enhancers than the regular products. To me it seems just a little stupid to make so much effort to ensure your plants haven't somehow taken chemicals from the soil and stored them in the resulting harvested crop but then mix chemicals into what you make with the organic produce. I never did find anything in the organic section that wasn't a non processed product (ie a packet of flour compared to a muesli bar) that was chemical additive free enough to give my kids. Just bizarre.

 

[3riverschick]

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?

Hi!

,
Well, My heritage Light Sussex do real well on Agway Meatbird, made by Cargill/Naturewise. The "sister product" to it is Naturewise Meatbird crumbles. They are both 22% protein. After doing a lot of looking and listening, I am convinced the protein % is what matters most in these heritage birds. Was told so by an experienced breeder and it has been so for my birds. They subsisted on 16%. Did a lot better on 17% but they just weren't thriving. 18% protein brought a nicer finish. But when I put them on Meatbird 22%, wow! It was like I had a whole new flock of birds! They gained weight, feathers shined more. They were more content. I am a convert. Some of these heritage breeds like Sussex were originally meat breeds. Then they were tweaked to increase egg laying for the home flock enthusiasts. But basically, the Sussex is still a Meatbird and feeding them that Meatbird ration has been the real ticket to thriving birds. Just because we use a lot of breeds for egg layers doesn't mean the layer feed is historically the best feed for that breed. Maybe yes, maybe no. In Sussex, I am finding out it is "no".
That said, even if you free range your birds, who says they will have an organic diet? Chickens eat all kinds of weird things. They even pick seeds out of livestock manure and who knows what feed and drugs those livestock have been given?
I think the best I can so for my birds is feed them the right % of protein for their breed. Plus, I start them out the 1st month of life with Poultry Nutri-Drench or Goat Nutri-Drench in their water to get them off to a strong start. ( I always use the poultry usage and dosage instructions). Then I supplement their feed with Black Oil Sunflower Seeds (BOSS) for shiny feathers. Sprouted oats 4-7 days old fed as green feed( a supplement to their daily ration) is great for bringing the hens into lay and helping the males create more robust sperm, helping to result in more robust chicks. Finally, I use the three sizes of Gran-I-Grit granite poultry grit , try to feed the correct size at the correct age( see BYC Gran-I-Grit review). This can result in their gizzard growing large and healthier which can result in up to 20% more eggs and broilers putting on more poundage during finishing time.
Best,
Karen