organic feeds?

[rancher hicks]

Is anyone here feeding "organic" feed? Can you fill me in on the pros and cons? The con for me is that here "organic" $10.00 more per 50#s. How do I decide? Boyd you out there can you do some research?

 

[trilyn]

I've heard this when it comes to farmers who are growing "organic" if their crop is about to fail completely, they are allowed to spray and also keep their "organic" status. If I am wrong please feel free to correct me. I've heard this from a couple of different people and have not had time to do much independent research on this. So, myself personally I am trying to feed feeds that do not contain any animal byproducts and whatnot. I like Blue Seals Homefresh line: I am not endorsing this, this is for research/informative value only. If I am wrong to post this please let me know!

http://www.blueseal.com/livestock/poultry/

Hope this helps!

 

[AHappychick]

no I dont believe that is true since I have had orders that were cancelled due to lost crops and they did nothing non organic to stop it. its sad but there is loss sometimes.

to the OP: The difference is no pesticides or chemicals were used in the raising of the grains and corn in the feed. It is a matter of personal choice whether you think it makes a difference or not.

 

[Corrigan]

Organic farmers absolutely are not allowed to spray conventional pesticides, herbicides, fungicides or fertilizers on their crops under ANY circumstances. In fact, if they were to do so, not only would that particular crop lose its organic classification, but they would be unable to use that field for organic crops for three full years. You have to follow ALL organic procedures for three years before you can get certified organic. It's not easy to get or maintain organic certification.

The pros are that you aren't contributing to the erosion and loss of topsoil, the contamination of ground water supplies, the increased risk of cancer in farm workers and those living near farms (like my friend's father, the organic farmer who died from a type of brain cancer his Mayo Clinic doctors said was probably caused by pesticides sprayed by people on neighboring farms)....etc. The cons are that it's more expensive and difficult to find.

I don't list all those pros to guilt trip or anything, because we don't even use organic feed. lol I was just explaining what they were. If organic feed could be purchased anywhere around here, I'd absolutely buy it, but it can't and having a 50 pound bag of food shipped out every week would cost way too much. My husband would have a hissy fit. lol So I comfort myself with the thought that I am helping the environment in other ways, like growing my own eggs in my backyard...one day, when they start laying.

 

[Chris09]

Quote:
If you dont mind me asking why are you staying away from animal pyproducts? I know if used a feed that had no meat meal or animal fat in it my RIRs would be skin and bones..

chickens eat meat (bugs and such) I been there.
Just thought Id ask...
Chris

 

[trilyn]

Quote:
If you dont mind me asking why are you staying away from animal pyproducts? I know if used a feed that had no meat meal or animal fat in it my RIRs would be skin and bones..

chickens eat meat (bugs and such) I been there.
Just thought Id ask...
Chris

No, of course I don't mind-I realize chickens eat insects and whatnot. I believe that they can gain weight with the use of whole grains and corn rather than meat byproducts. I've been feeding meat free since they were chicks and they're all healthy and big. Also, the smell of chicken manure when fed feed with meat byproducts is horrendous. There are also dangers of getting diseases.
I'm also open to suggestions-am a newbie!!

 

[Chris09]

Ok I see you have RIR's when you run your hand down it chest do you feel it breast bone? How long does it take for them to come out of a molt? Animal byproducts is what they put in hotdog its in dog food we cant get away from its even organic fertalizer has it in there.
(fish meal, bone meal, feather meal) I see what you are getting at I live a small 5 ac. farm with poultry,dairy goats, beef cow and a
50' x 200' garden and we are what we call semi-organic in the garden and dont by to meat at the store but we found out that byproducts isnt all that bad for poultry my GOD they eat there own crap at times plus soybean isnt all that good for chickens..
Chris

 

[trilyn]

Yeah, you got a point there. I was thinking about that after I got done posting. All of my birds are chicks right now, the rir are only 5 weeks old and no I can't feel their breastbone. I feed blue seal home fresh chick starter and I have comets that are 9 weeks and their on the b.s. grower cal that's for 8-20 week olds. I was planning on giving them the layer feed when they start laying. When they lay, I'll give them free choice oyster shell and grit. They get grit now though when they get treats-mealworms and such.

Yeah, they do eat their own crap, and I have to admit I was surprised about the soybeans. I found out about that 3/4 years ago, when I was on my soymilk kick. Also, I feed my birds freechoice 24/7 and plan to let them free range, well when I'm home. I have neighbors and I don't think they'll like it if they go into their yards. Also, a dog trainer down the road and his 12 dogs. I'm new at this and still have alot to learn and tend to get "new mommyish" when it comes to any animal I start up with! Thanks Chris! Hey, is it alright if they eat their own feathers? I notice when they're out in the yard if a feather blows around they run after it and eat it. They probably think it's a bug or something but I was just curious. They don't seem to have any ill effects from it or anything. Any pointers-bring 'em on!

 

[Chris09]

As long as they dont start picking feathers off each other your fine..
they put feather meal in some feed... I know your a newbe youll learn alot on here.. I think about 30 of my Exibition RIR 5 week old I think they weigh 2-3 lbs about 6-9 inches tall something like that..
chris