Organic vs conventional feed?

[fountainvalleychickens]

I'm sure this topic has been discussed somewhere, but would you weigh in on organic vs. conventional feed on egg quality and chicken health? We have been feeding Nutrena organic (non GMO) 16% layer pellets with some free range time each day and our 6 birds are doing great, however organic is 2x the cost of similar conventional feed and we are not getting enough eggs out of our small flock to justify the cost unless the eggs are healthier/safer. Anyone have good articles/resources on pesticide residues from conventional feed in eggs? We try to eat organic when we can, but maybe we can save $ here? Thanks in advance.

 

[Folly's place]

I think it's more about individual choices rather than anything else here. 'Totally organic' means only certified feed is fed from one day old chicks on, including every extra treat and scrap they get. Including no non-organic approved herbicides or pesticides used out there (and in the case of some herbicides, within three years of the birds being on that ground). There's more, but it's a very tough standard to meet.
I feed non-organic feed to my flock because of cost concerns, and also because every ingredient in my diet isn't actually organic either. I too buy organic labelled fruits and veggies as much as possible, and grow my own eggs and chickens so I know what they've eaten, and the life they've led.
I'm more concerned with those issues, and my birds aren't getting antibiotics as many commercial birds were/ are getting.
There are probably university studies out there, sorry, I haven't looked them up.
Mary

 

[Biddybot]

It's a personal choice and personally, I don't think it's worth the extra money. Just go into any decent search engine and type in something like 'organic farming approved pesticides fungicides herbicides' for my major reason for why I don't think it's worthwhile. You also never know where some of the base foods used to make up any commercial chicken feed, whether organic or not, actually came from unless you had a direct hand in their procurement. An organic farm, well intentioned though its owners might be, could be located right next to highways with major, major traffic or not far from industrial sites. You can imagine how such locations might be subject to a dose of all kinds of noxious chemical fallout in addition to what's deliberately being put on the crops, but you'll never know about all those extra chemical residues because by and large they're simply not tested for...

But still, nothing wrong with choosing organic feed. Theoretically, it should be the healthier option. The only type I'd ever stay away from, because of the slightly 'scammy' taste it leaves in my mouth, is the sort that proudly proclaims itself all-grain, vegetable-only, animal protein free...that sort of thing. I'm suspicious of those feeds because their advertising suggests that chickens are vegetarians and are better off eating only vegetables. Which is completely contrary to the truth, which is that chickens are omnivores who do just fine and enjoy eating animal protein. (Like those juicy worms and crickets and the scraps off your steak bone!) I'm always put off by disingenuous and misleading advertising and fake claims about chickens and chicken feed rank right up there with me...

I've only fed regular commercial feed and the birds have done very well with long life spans (record's still 16 years!) and very few disease or other health issues. That's really your best 'test', in the end. How your stock does on the feed you use in the long run.

 

[Cindy in PA]

I myself think is it worth it. My organic feed is $24/50lbs as opposed to something like Layena $15.99/50lbs. That's 50% more for the organic. I think it is very important to know your source & know the company's philosophy. I buy local organic milk & meat when possible, so I like my homegrown eggs to be fed organic. I do not care to support conventional ag crops like corn & soy which puts nothing into the soil etc. It is a personal choice. My 13 hens eat a little less than 100lbs. per month, so I am OK with it. I do not buy "national" USDA organic food. I don't trust all the big companies that jumped on the organic bandwagon for the money. If you feed a good conventional or an organic feed, your hens will be fine. It just depends on how important it is to you. Here in PA there are a number of local organic feeds available. Where you are it might not be the case. Good luck!

 

[Mosey2003]

I am fervently anti-organic and my birds and eggs are all very healthy.

 

[BantyChooks]

I can't afford organic. I haven't done chemical analysis of their eggs, but I see nothing in their health that would indicate high loads of toxins due to conventional feed treatment.

 

[GC-Raptor]

I have never bought Organic feed for my Chicks or hens.
Two reasons! First is finding a fresh bag. I can find Non-Organic feed 2 to 6 weeks from mill date. When I checked Organic feed over a year ago most were months old. It may have changed since then as more people buy. I will check next time I buy feed.
The next is cost$$$$.

My chickens love the fresh conventional feed. I am currently feeding Start and Grow feed to all my girls. Ages 24 days to 29 months. Medicated for the Chicks.

My two Layers are 29 months old and give me up to a dozen eggs a week. Here's my current collection of unwashed eggs from previous 5 days. . GC

 

[igorsMistress]

I started with organic feed and fed it for over a year. I still do from time to time. Their fruits and veggies weren't all organic, I can't afford that. The feed wasn't a lot more expensive than what I buy now, only $3 more for 40 lbs vs 50, but it was hard to find as not many people feed organic here.

If I could afford it, I would feed organic only. I feel that what ends up in my food is important. We can't escape it all, but we can limit our exposure.

 

[imnukensc]

I think "organic" is overhyped BS and am not willing to pay the cost for it. Even if it isn't overhyped BS, billions of chickens have done quite well for hundreds of years without it.

 

[townchicks]

I feed organic for multiple reasons. It's not just that I feel that it is healthier for my chickens, or that then makes the eggs healthier for me. It 's mostly that I feel it is healthier for the earth we live on, and that makes it better for all of us. Farmers can't grow organic products if no one buys them, so when I have the option, I go for the organic.