Organic Chicken/Eggs

[Joz]

Rather than "Organic Chickens" or "Organic Eggs",

howsabout "Eggs from Organically Fed Chickens"?

Reword the whole thing to accurately represent your effort, still use "organic" in your pitch, and it's not as misleading.

 

[Mac in Wisco]

Here are the regulations of the National Organic Program in the United States:

http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/tex...2&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title07/7cfr205_main_02.tpl


Of note to poultry and laying hens:

Chicks needn't come from organically raised parent stock. Chicks must be fed organically from the the second day of life. (The first day they are considered to live on the yolk from the parent hen, which isn't necessarily organic). If they are ever fed non-organic, conventional feeds (this could include your kitchen scraps) then they are not eligible for organic production.

Layers must be provided access to the outdoors, depending on stage of life and outside weather conditions.

Any pasture must have been managed organically for at least the previous three years. If you have sprayed weedkillers or spread synthetic fertilizers then that pasture area is ineligible for use in organic production until three years of organic management. Any replanting while under organic management should use certified seed, if available.

They must not be given synthetic (or even some highly processed natural ingredients) antibiotics, wormers, certain electrolyte mixes, etc.
Sick birds should be removed from production and treated. Once they have been treated with non-organic inputs they are ineligible for organic production.

Any bedding that they may eat must come from certifiable organic sources.

 

[7L Farm]

Quote:
I think I'll stick to farm fresh eggs. SSSSSHH!!

 

[kizanne]

to the OP.

One of the ways I handle the Organic question is I tell my customers about my chickens and raising practice. Let them decide what them means to them.


I feed organic feed, they have a large outdoor area they can access during the day and are allowed to free range several hours a day. They are not given any medications unless absolutely necessary for the health/survival of the bird and at that time those eggs are not sold.

Most of my current customers used to buy organic eggs at the store and they now buy mine because many of them like mine better.

Am I organic. Not sure because at 2 weeks of age they got cocci and I had to medicate. Don't care wasn't going to lose my flock and they haven't had any medication since.

 

[angie3881]

Quote:
Most people on here are very, very nice and respectful. Sorry, but I really hate it when people think they have to argue and be crabby with each other over a simple statement. And you are correct. Sometimes our words are interpreted differently by the reader, which could depend on their current mood.

I think it is perfectly acceptable to ask someone to elaborate on something they have said or even disagree with it... in a respectful manner. I also find it distasteful when people feel the need to point out their level of education in an argument. I know bums who are more intelligent than some "well educated" people.
Now, back to the real issue...

 

[acy0029]

In my opinion there is no way you can have an "organic" product unless it is raised in a closed building.

 

[Hollywood Chickens]

How about if you just sell them as from Organic fed hens?

 

[Mac in Wisco]

Quote:
I assume you are referring to problems with organic purity. It's not necessarily about purity though. A lot of it has to do with using more sustainable, environmentally sound practices, producing agricultural products in a symbiotic relationship with the land and other natural resources, applying less synthetic chemicals to the land and it's products, and using more humane animal husbandry practices.

Nobody claims that organic products are devoid of any synthetic chemicals that may be picked up from a polluted environment, only that organic production practices strive not to add any to it.

 

[acy0029]

Quote:
I assume you are referring to problems with organic purity. It's not necessarily about purity though. A lot of it has to do with using more sustainable, environmentally sound practices, producing agricultural products in a symbiotic relationship with the land and other natural resources, applying less synthetic chemicals to the land and it's products, and using more humane animal husbandry practices.

Nobody claims that organic products are devoid of any synthetic chemicals that may be picked up from a polluted environment, only that organic production practices strive not to add any to it.

I understand the theory behind it and what the movement is trying to do I feel it is unsustainable and just a great marketing ploy.

 

[Phenomenon]

Quote:
Most people on here are very, very nice and respectful. Sorry, but I really hate it when people think they have to argue and be crabby with each other over a simple statement. And you are correct. Sometimes our words are interpreted differently by the reader, which could depend on their current mood.

I think it is perfectly acceptable to ask someone to elaborate on something they have said or even disagree with it... in a respectful manner. I also find it distasteful when people feel the need to point out their level of education in an argument. I know bums who are more intelligent than some "well educated" people.
Now, back to the real issue...

Wise words.

I guess the line between organic or not is a fine one. So long as you satisfy the regulations set out you can sell your eggs as organic, however, as Mac pointed out, environmental pollutants and other factors must mean that nothing is absolutely organic.