Organic vs. regular layer feed

[Anny]

Organic is nicer on the earth. No harsh chemicals used on the land, or in the factory.

I try to buy Organic and Local, since I like stuff to be near me and I like to support my local community. But sadly since I don't live in an area where chicken keeping is popular I have to travel a bit to buy my food but I get it from the town I great up in so it makes me feel better about supporting them.

 

[modenacart]

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I find that so interesting. We go through much less than that. I guess our girls are actually getting alot of food when they are out eating bugs and grass in the yard, and the kitchen scraps we feed. I would say I use 50# every 6-7 weeks for 6 hens.

What feed do you use? I give them table scraps and let them free range for a few hours a day.

 

[SeaChick]

yeah, that's about what we do, too.
I have used several different organic layer feeds. Right now they're on Green Mountain (through Poulin Grains) but we have also used Blue Seal's Organic Life and something else I can't remember... like "Nature's Way" or something.

 

[Amazon chicken]

I have been feeding my 3 hens organic layer mash this year. They free range all day, mostly eat some grass and I give them (spoil them) with healthy table scraps - Quinoa, yogurt, bread , tomatoes and bananas are the usual plus free choice oyster shell. While the yolk looks healthy it is breaking easier and the thick white part of the egg is mostly not there so I feel some nutritional thing is going on. Plus my maran who generally lays dark eggs has started laying eggs with all the color on top and it is rough and the egg shell slightly malformed (a bit bulgy in the middle).

A major chicken farmer in the area told me that she has heard from many farmers that the organic products are not consistent - perhaps for many reasons listed in this ongoing debate.

Anyone have recommendations on excellent consistent feed? Anyone have tips on what could be up with my girls? I am about to deworm them (which I have avoided) thinking that may be the problem. Am considering using Ivermeton as they have some mites too. Yes, I have used the diatomatious earth as dust but I do know that it will not take care of all sources of worms.

Help please dear community.

 

[ChickenBoo]

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Interestingly (in the same vein), honey sold in stores can by labeled "Pure Honey" when in actuality the producers are allowed to cut the honey 50/50 with corn syrup. My hubby is a bee keeper. If you'd like to know how to tell if honey is pure, unpasteurized, straight-from-the-comb send me an email & I'll tell you.

 

[Jamie]

And on that vein of imitation and eating well, I've just read a book that blew me away.

Imitation foods don't need to be labeled as such if their nutrient value is the same. Even though it's obvious that honey contains many more nutrients than processed corn syrup, does the FDA acknowledge any human benefit to those nutrients? And when they do, what stops the company from adding the chemical 'equivalent' of that nutrient? And then, as history has shown, will that equivalent kill you?

Simply put, if it's not raw, whole unprocessed food, then it's probably not food you're buying at the supermarket. And then to wonder, if this 'whole' food has been on a 'fast food' NPK diet its whole life, is it even half as nutritious as what you grow in your backyard?

Michael Pollan recently published this book I speak of, entitled "In Defense of Food: An Eaters Manifesto". He's done this sort of investigative journalism in the past with other works you can find. We've been mentioning this book to everyone we know. I simply can't get into what this book is entirely about, when what it is proposing is that the health and food industries have been off course for the past 50 years... literally killing people. I know it sounds crazy, lol, that's why I don't want to talk about it. Hit the local library and check it out... prove me wrong, lol. Nothing would make me happier.

 

[Reinbeau]

Both of Michael Poulan's recent books are well worth reading, if you stgart with The Omnivore's Dilemma you'll read his whole expose of the industrial 'food' system we've all bought into (well, I say 'we' but there are many who are now more educated about what has been done to our food system). Read these books, you may first be dismayed but then armed and educated as to what is real food worth feeding your families.

 

[red star11]

I dont think it makes a difference. Just peace of mind with organic. That should settle the argument.

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[tygab]

As another excellent food book to read, I'll add "The end of food" by Paul Roberts....

 

[Chick_a_dee]

No food is really consistent, but organic food is less consistent because we aren't controlling the surroundings and product. Unfortunately this can result in some issues with the feed. I feed regular layer mash, with extras on the side. I garden organically with the exception of spraying my strawberries with insecticidal soap (they're in a seperate garden).

I need to get me some lady bugs next year I think. Bloody aphids...