Organic chicks

[jjb1953]

Hi all. I am new to the world of backyard chickens.
I will be getting chicks soon and was hoping to start with organic baby chicks but the place I will likely get the chicks from said the chicks are not organic.
I plan on feeding them organic only. How effected would the chicks be having been fed non-organic food and medicine?
Are they effected for like and the eggs cannot be considered organic?

Does anyone know of a place where I can order organic chicks?

Thanks

Jen

 

[Jimtherunner]

I don't know if you have to start with organic chicks in order to have organic chickens and organic eggs. Organic chicks would come from the eggs of parents who were only ever fed organic feed, were organic chicks themselves, and probably lived on organic soil. Since the term organic requires government certification, I wonder... In any case, there are organic eggs for sale in the grocery store, but I suspect those poor birds don't fare any better than the rest of the battery chickens.

Having said that, McMurray Hatchery, I am told, feeds their breeding flocks only NON-GMO grains. I would start an inquiry there. There people are easy to reach and knowledgable. As a matter of fact, it where my first chicks came from.

I do not believe you can sell your eggs using the term "organic" without government certification. On the other hand, you could use "organically grown" or "all natural" or whatever. Most people recognize that the eggs that come from your backyard chickens are superior in every way to everything available at a grocery store regardless of whether you feed organic food or not.

I buy organic feed from a local farm. It costs $28.00 for a 50# bag. Be aware that it raises the cost of raising birds significantly.

 

[Fred's Hens]

It is my understanding that all chicks are considered organic at hatch. After all, one must start somewhere, right?

But, from that point forward, ie, when they begin to eat at day 3, that is when the 100% purists in organic would insist that nothing be given that chick that doesn't meet the strict definition. FWIW

 

[jjb1953]

Thanks for your replies.
Thanks for the link to McMurray Hatchery ... looking there now.

I don't care much about certification as they will not be for sale or anything. Mostly I just want to feed my family the healthiest eggs possible.
More so I am just wondering exactly how much chicks are effected by GMO, non-organic foods and medicines received etc.
Not only how much, but for how long. I think I am wondering about epigeneics here ... sort of.
If they are effected, is it something that can reverse once given organic feed only.

Thanks

Jen

 

[Fred's Hens]

Answers to many of your question can only really come by doing extensive research. Scientific research cost money and funding is normally provided by those who have an economic stake. Answers that come only from anecdotal evidence or speculation is only so helpful.

As far as I know, the research which would provide real answers to your questions has not been done.