It's Not Just Chicken Feed - Genetically Manufactured Organisms (GAO)

[tcsonjack]

I'm trying to learn as much as I can about how to raise the healthiest organic chickens possible. Does anyone have any thoughts on what to feed certifiably organic chickens? Some folks have said that feed that is not certified organic is most likely to contain GAOs. This is extremely expensive putting the price per pound of a roaster to about $7/lb. at market.

I'd appreciate any thoughts on this from those with experience in raising organic chickens for sale.

Thanks!

 

[Fred's Hens]

I'm pretty sure it is GMO= genetically modified organism

 

[tcsonjack]

Hi Fred,
Yes sorry, had it right the first time in the title of my post - GMOs. I was looking for thoughts on what experienced chicken growers had about what they feed their organic chickens. I understand unless the feed is absolutely certifiably organic it may contain GMOs. Organic chicken growers - what do you use for feed and where do you buy it?

 

[UrbanviewFarm]

Hi Fred,
Yes sorry, had it right the first time in the title of my post - GMOs.  I was looking for thoughts on what experienced chicken growers had about what they feed their organic chickens.  I understand unless the feed is absolutely certifiably organic it may contain GMOs.  Organic chicken growers - what do you use for feed and where do you buy it?

I just suffer with the GMO feed. $1-$1.50 per lb is simply too cost-prohibitive for me. I have looked into recepies for organic feeds and just don't think its a feasible option for me right now. You can, however, cut down pretty drastically on the amount of GMOs fed to your chickens by supplementing their feed with free-ranging activity and your own organic table scraps.

 

[tcsonjack]

Fred,

Very good point - it's amazing how expensive high quality feed is. And your right, making your own feed is not as easy as it sounds. Do you raise and sell your chickens or do you raise them for your family's use? How about eggs?

I'm also looking into raising rabbits and raising a flock or two of homing pigeons, and absolutely hatching some chicks. I'd welcome the experience, advise, opinions, or resource info of my fellow micro-farmers out there. I just love the wealth of information out there!!

 

[UrbanviewFarm]

I do everything chicken. I raise for myself, keep breeders and hatch my own chicks. I sell chicks, layers and some of the more popular breeds such as Silkies. I'm just getting into raising meatbirds, I even do my own processing.

I haven't been at it more than a couple of years, but with chickens and a garden you can put a HUGE dent in your dependence on commercial food sources. Chickens can cost as much or as little as you'd like; I do feel that in a freerange environment with enough space the birds should be able to forage up the majority of their own food. I think of it like this: Milled feed wasn't even in existence except the last 100 years or so... people have been keeping chickens for thousands upon thousands of years. Do what you can and see what you get.

Don't know much about rabbits, sorry. I do know a little bit about beef and dairy production, I also raise turkeys and various gamebirds.

 

[PDXcluck]

http://www.ucsusa.org/food_and_agri...acts/science/engineered-foods-allowed-on.html

Here is a list of all GM foods allowed on the market from the Union of Concerned Scientists website. You could theoretically make a balanced chicken feed without any of those ingredients, or at least make sure any corn or soy used is non-GMO and you could then have some confidence in the rest. Also, even raw organic foods aren't guaranteed non-gmo and processed organic foods are even more likely to contain some amount of genetically modified ingredients, just fyi.

I firmly believe that in the near future GMO's will be outed as one of worst human caused environmental and health issues in history. Time will tell I guess. Until then I do everything I can to avoid them, because if I'm wrong all I've done is support sustainable organic farming and spent a little extra money, if I'm right I've potentially saved the lives of myself and my family...easy choice for me.

I wish you the best!

 

[Chris09]

Fred,

Very good point - it's amazing how expensive high quality feed is. And your right, making your own feed is not as easy as it sounds. Do you raise and sell your chickens or do you raise them for your family's use? How about eggs?

I'm also looking into raising rabbits and raising a flock or two of homing pigeons, and absolutely hatching some chicks. I'd welcome the experience, advise, opinions, or resource info of my fellow micro-farmers out there. I just love the wealth of information out there!!

Just because something is "Organic" or "Non-GMO" doesn't make it high quality.

Chris