What chick feed for organic eggs?

[Lola_T]

So we are new to chickens and we just got four little chicks. We would eventually like to have organic eggs. My question is do we need to start them off on organic feed right off the bat or can we feed them the regular store bought starter feed now (mostly to save money) and then organic layer feed when they are ready for that?

 

[Lady of McCamley]

That depends if you are planning on selling eggs or simply using them for your family.

If you are planning on selling eggs marked as organic, then you need to follow organic practices as approved by the FDA from the moment you get the chicks (2nd day after hatching, see cite below) throughout their laying career.

If it is simply eggs and meat for your family, you can feed them what you want when you want feeding regular feed now, organic later, and switching off and on as you like.

By switching to organic later, you may be circumventing some of the philosophy of organic feed...that the animal molecularly has never received "impure" or at least "non-organic" food sources. That is to ensure it has no undesirable elements, or contaminants, in its body so that it produces purer food products.

A female chick has all the ova she will ever have at the moment of hatch. As the hen comes to sexual maturity, every 26 hours, or so, an ova drops into the egg tract and over the course of 24 hours is made into an egg with the albumin (white) and egg shell being added to the yolk to form the complete egg that the hen lays. Then the process starts again.

Many small holders do feed regular food at the start and switch to organic just before point of lay.

My thoughts
LofMc

http://articles.extension.org/pages/69041/requirements-for-organic-poultry-production

 

[rosemarythyme]

I assume by "organic" you don't mean to get them certified for sale as organic, correct? Just for your own consumption? It's really up to you if it's not for resale, as I believe a certified organic label requires over 3 years of strict adherence to organic protocol.

I go all in with my flock, anything I can get organic I will, even the dirt I use in the garden beds and the seeds planted there are organic, just because the chickens will come in contact with it.

 

[Folly's place]

Welcome! As above, what you do for home use, and what's salable as 'organic' are different. Look up the actual requirements for producing organic eggs and meat, and at least use that information as guidelines. Mary

 

[Lola_T]

Thank you for all the info!
Yes, they will be for home use so no need to really worry about organic certification standards. But mostly wondering if it even makes sense to feed the chicks regular food and then switch to organic for more organic-y eggs or if it's pointless to do so by then.

 

[Folly's place]

I personally think it's pointless to switch later, but there's nothing wrong with doing it either. Quality fresh food is the priority! Always check the mill date on the bag, and buy nothing older than about four weeks, that you can use up in another two to four weeks. Some vitamins will deteriorate as time passes after milling, and it matters. Also, feeding organic chicken feed and then adding non-organic fruits and veggies, etc, also makes no sense! Not to mention using herbicides in their environment (Weed and Feed, anyone?). Mary

 

[rosemarythyme]

I don't see the point in switching later - I believe in the whole "I eat what my animals eat" philosophy so since I want organic eggs, I stick to an "organic diet" with my chickens (I put that in quotes since only my feed is certified organic and obviously my backyard isn't certified, but I haven't treated the lawn since I moved in, I use organic seeds, fertilize with my own compost which only has organic scraps and untreated clippings, etc.) And honestly (unless you have hundreds of chicks to feed), the extra $10 for a bag of organic chick starter is worth in my opinion, I just don't see any real savings in going halfway over a few dollars, if "organic" eggs is what you're wanting.

If overall feed cost is a huge concern, you could just go with conventional feed. The eggs will still be far fresher than what you'd find in a regular grocery store.

 

[Cindy in PA]

Of course you will technically get organic eggs by feeding your layers organic feed. I do the same. Not worried about being certified, but I use no chemicals around here and prefer organic feed. I really prefer no soy organic feed. The cost is more, but since you are asking the question, I am sure you know the benefits of organic. Don't know where you are, but TSC carried Nature's Best Organic Feed. Here in PA there are many good feeds near me in SE PA, including a local no soy mash. Only you know how important it is to you, but don't let the nay sayers change your mind.