Organic vs regular feed? Is there really a difference?

Mike32

Songster
10 Years
May 16, 2009
116
1
109
Pecos, NM
I was watching the Martha Stewart Show from Friday about raising chickens and she said she only feeds "organic" feed because she eats the eggs. Now I know it's more a personal preference thing than anything else but what's really the difference? Is there a difference in feeds or the actual nutritional value of the egg. I wanted to raise my own chickens because I wanted my family to eat healthier foods(organic is more of what I thought it was at the time) as compared to store bought. Now hearing and reading that what I was thinking was organic, is really not unless you feed organic feed. What is the difference in organic compared to regular feeds(besides price)? Also even though I don't feed organic feed at this time is there a real significant reason to switch? Will I notice a difference in my eggs? I'm sure this topic has been posted before so sorry for repeating. Oh and I really enjoyed the information I gathered from the show especially seeing the different breeds. The only thing is that now my family wants all the breeds that were on the show and I might have to expand the coop, again. It's not a bad thing at all because we have really enjoyed our chickens and especially the eggs. Any information will be greatly appreciated.
 
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Not all Organic is the same..

I don't know too many feeds if any that are Certified 100% Organic.
Countryside Naturals says that the feed they sell is Certified Organic but they don't say that they are certified 100% Certified Organic.

100 Percent Organic:
This label can only be used on products that contain only organic components. This means that there is nothing contained within the item that is not completely organic.

Organic:
This label can only be used on products that contain at least 95 percent organic ingredients or components. Products with this label may contain up too 5 percent of ingredients that are not organic.
Thats 5 lbs out of a 100 lbs tha can be non-organic ingredients or 2 1/2 lbs out of 50 lbs.

Made With Organic Ingredients:
This label can only be used on items that contain at least 70 percent organic ingredients. This certification means that although the majority of ingredients used in the product are indeed organic, there may also be as much as 30 percent of ingredients that are not organic. That's 30 lbs out of a 100 lbs tha can be non-organic ingredients or 15 lbs out of 50 lbs.

Look closely at the organic labels on food and other products Just because an item has an organic certification, it does not necessarily indicate that the item is completely organic.

Chris
 
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If you can free-range and not use any of the processed feeds, you're better off. Mother Earth does a chemical analysis of eggs from chickens fed differently. They do this every few years. They're interesting articles and clearly shows the nutritional difference. It's why I switched to no feed at all. To read the articles, just google 'Mother Earth Eggs' and you should hit on one of their articles.
 
OK so if they are free-ranged they are eating what? Grass, bugs...?
What do you do in winter?
I would like to keep what little lawn I have left..
 
Well, you're right. It's not a good solution for a lot of people. Free range as much as you can and then supplement with vegetables. I always have a lot of squash and pumpkins in the winter they love. And we're lucky here to not get snow more than 1 or 2 days a year. I'm also fortunate I have 2 acres for them to use for a feeding ground. You just have to read the labels on those feed bags. Anytime they mention by-products, it's a bad thing. Mixing your own feed is a good alternative so you know what's going in it.
 
Is there anything I can give my chicks now? They are on the medicated starter feed.

I put a handful of pulled grass in their box today and they loved it, now it looks more like a grass mat. Someone said they love bananas but my little chicks arent into them maybe its an age thing?
They love their little starter roost though 1 week old and already on a 1x1 roost 1" off the ground, lol AH I need pics,
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