New Country Organics decline in quality

[Loona]

Yes, thank you. My hens do pick what they like and eventually consume the rest as the day goes on. I have had my hens for 5 years, and for four of those years this has been their feed. Luckily they sustained, and I really liked this feed, however in the past 8 months or so I've seen a decline in quality and in turn have had health issues. 4 sour crops and two deaths. I'm finished w/this grain feed. I'm going to be calling them tomorrow to express my opinion on their dateless labeling system and lack of quality control. I had no idea this mixture was made in Texas and not Virginia. Something is not right anymore, though, but they say nothing has changed. But I beg to differ. It's not a coincidence that when I noticed the feed was not as good was around the same time problems arose.

I've been feeding pellets only for two days and yes, they are eating it! and therefore I'm sticking to it. Appreciate all the comments here. Thank you.

 

[Kiki]

Yes, thank you. My hens do pick what they like and eventually consume the rest as the day goes on. I have had my hens for 5 years, and for four of those years this has been their feed. Luckily they sustained, and I really liked this feed, however in the past 8 months or so I've seen a decline in quality and in turn have had health issues. 4 sour crops and two deaths. I'm finished w/this grain feed. I'm going to be calling them tomorrow to express my opinion on their dateless labeling system and lack of quality control. I had no idea this mixture was made in Texas and not Virginia. Something is not right anymore, though, but they say nothing has changed. But I beg to differ. It's not a coincidence that when I noticed the feed was not as good was around the same time problems arose.

I've been feeding pellets only for two days and yes, they are eating it! and therefore I'm sticking to it. Appreciate all the comments here. Thank you.

Texas!

 

[Loona]

HAHAHA, Yep good ol' Texas. I'm sorry, not pooping on Texas, just that all these years I've been under the impression they made it locally in VA. I've spoken to them on the phone several times through the years and had no idea they buy it bulk and bag it up themselves. Now I get it why they don't use a label w/a date. Even though the lot numbers change, it's still looking like the same stuff, lot after lot. I've not seen the 'fresh' looking stuff in a long time. Def feeling better giving them the pellets.

I have a question about pellets. I ground some in the coffee grinder to tube feed and I notice in the bottom of cup after I suck up all I can, there's always the black dots that fall to the bottom. What is that? Do you know what I mean? They obviously have some weight to it because these black particles always fall to the bottom. If I swirl the bottom of the cup in water and dump it in the sink, these black dots are there. Is it some kind of mineral?

 

[Folly's place]

Seems likely, but I don't know. I've been feeding crumble for years, because nobody sells Flock Raiser pellets around here, even if it's still available. I've got chicks too, so crumble makes more sense anyway.
Mary

 

[Folly's place]

Your previous feed sounds awful, at least recently. something changed, for sure.
Local feed stores are happy to sell old feed, and will claim it's good for six months from the mill date. No way!
Mary

 

[h2oratt]

I am lucky to get a high quality feed here but it is pricey. I just bought a bag of purina flockraiser and it was almost 18 dollars.

 

[Folly's place]

Prices will vary, so check around. It's not the cheapest feed out there, but good food pays off! I haven't been as satisfied with anything else I've tried, and many feeds do cost even more.
Mary

 

[Loona]

I have been grinding up some pellets to feed my hen that is sick, and I notice in the bottom of the watered down mixture are these black granules. Does anyone know what they are? A mineral? Feels sandy. It's Nature's Best Organic Pellet. I've used this all the time and another by Manna Pro organic pellet, but I like the green pellet of Nature's Best vs the tan color of Manna Pro. I really would like to use Nutrena's Organic pellet but I can't find it in stores and online I only found one place w/20 bucks for shipping.

 

[Kiki]

I have been grinding up some pellets to feed my hen that is sick, and I notice in the bottom of the watered down mixture are these black granules. Does anyone know what they are? A mineral? Feels sandy. It's Nature's Best Organic Pellet. I've used this all the time and another by Manna Pro organic pellet, but I like the green pellet of Nature's Best vs the tan color of Manna Pro. I really would like to use Nutrena's Organic pellet but I can't find it in stores and online I only found one place w/20 bucks for shipping.

Can you post a picture of this black granules?


You will have to check your local stores to see what they carry/stock.
Unless you pay the big bucks for shipping costs.

 

[Loona]

Yes, I will post it tomorrow. It basically looks like black pepper. I ground up the Manna Pro just to see if it was in there too and it was. So it must be some kind of mineral? Noticed Manna Pro had a lot more crunchy bits of corn, whereas the Nature's Best grinds much finer not clogging up the tube. I'd like to find a soy free organic pellet, but that is non existent in our local feed stores. : \