Kalmbach Flock Maker vs Organic Starter

[4chickensIA]

I am indifferent, but my wife would like to feed our 22 week old chickens organic food. We have 4 chickens, mixed breeds. Only one is laying currently.

Currently, I am feeding All Natural Non-GMO Flock Maker crumbles from Kalmbach. I am mixing in a little Manna Pro Omega Egg Maker into the crumbles, just to hopefully make the eggs a bit nicer. Oyster shells are offered separately.

I am curious, could I switch to the Kalmbach Organic Chick and Meatbird Starter Grower crumble, and maintain the same level of nutrition and quality? I have read organic feeds can end up lacking nutrition compared to traditional feeds.

Nutrition and ingredients lists below:

 

[Debbie292d]

We feed the Kalmback's regular Flock Maker here. Kalmbach's is a good brand, so you could be assured that whichever type you choose, it's nutritious for the birds it's made for.

There have been many debates over which is best, organic or non-organic, and it seems the pendulum swings to the organic, but many find there's no difference, and the cost isn't worth it. Chickens could be raised side by side, one getting one kind, and another the other kind, and most anyone wouldn't know the difference in the health of their chickens.

I think it's a personal decision. We raise show-quality silkies, and we're putting out beautiful, healthy chicks and chickens, all on Kalmbach's Flock Maker. The ducks are on that too.

Here's one such debate: https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...ic-chicken-feed-what-is-your-opinion.1525963/

 

[Mother of Chaos]

I am indifferent, but my wife would like to feed our 22 week old chickens organic food. We have 4 chickens, mixed breeds. Only one is laying currently.

Currently, I am feeding All Natural Non-GMO Flock Maker crumbles from Kalmbach. I am mixing in a little Manna Pro Omega Egg Maker into the crumbles, just to hopefully make the eggs a bit nicer. Oyster shells are offered separately.

I am curious, could I switch to the Kalmbach Organic Chick and Meatbird Starter Grower crumble, and maintain the same level of nutrition and quality? I have read organic feeds can end up lacking nutrition compared to traditional feeds.

Nutrition and ingredients lists below:

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You’ve got a little more methionine (0.55% vs 0.45%) in the non-HMO, and that’s where organic feeds often have trouble. I don’t know how significant that is, or if it is. The total protein for both is listed at 20%.

If you’re not vegan or vegetarian yourself (or don’t observe this for animal feeds), you can add occasional ground beef, sardines, tuna, etc. to supply animal protein, which is more complete for chickens. Insects like mealworms (which are larvae, not worms) help too, although they can be pretty fatty.