Organic Feed question

[LovinMyChickies]

Does certified organic feed contain animal protein?

If so, how is it determined that the animal protein is "organic".

Any light on this would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Jackie

 

[panner123]

I don't believe any feed today is organic, but if you look at organickingdom.com They have all the ingredients lists in their lay pellets. 17% protien

 

[greyfields]

Quote:
Yes, organic feed can contain animal protien. It's almost always (if not 100% for sure) porcine meal. Sometimes you will see fish meal used, too, but never in the bottom-shelf products, only the spendier stuff.

You can also get some feeds, including organic, which are 100% vegeterian meaning they use seed meal to meet the protien demands. There is considerable debate if the chickens are losing anything from having only vegetable sources from the feed...as they are certainly omnivores.

I may get corrected on this, but here is my understanding:

ALL products derived from animals, regardless if the animal is organic or not, is considered a natural (non synthetic) product which can be used with organic practices.

Manure from any animal, conventional or organic, can be spread on organic pastures/field crops. It's a natural product. All seed meals are organic. Kelp meals are organic. There is no distinction if it was organic kelp or not. So, my suspicion is the porcine meals used in your organic chicken feed have come from traditionally reared pigs.

Does this bother me? Hell no. I'm far far far far more worried about pesticde residues on my soft fruit than anything I could pump into my beef, chicken, pork, etc, which conceivable could leave any trace or residue in their tissue.

 

[LovinMyChickies]

Thanks for the response. I'm still a little confused.

If I buy certified organic feed with animal protein, is it the same as regular feed containing animal protein?

Is the only difference how much more $$ they charge for "Certified Organic Feed"?

Somewhere out there is a rich marketing genius.

 

[Lazy J Farms Feed & Hay]

Organic Feeds can NOT contain mammalian or poultry slaughter by-products, which are generically called "Animal Proteins".

The can contain organic milk and organic egg products, and fish products that are free of prohibited materials.

Jim

 

[LovinMyChickies]

Thank you for clarifing that.

Jackie

 

[greyfields]

Ok, so an organic feed then is using seed meals for the protien then, thanks for clarifying that. It's just strange that some organic feeds also carry a "vegetarian" line of offering.

Regardless, it's not clever marketing. The bulk of the expense in the feed is getting the organic grains which is the bulk of the feed. I know all seed meals can be used in organic production, unless they were hexane extracted.