What is your opinion of organic feed?

[SewingDiva]

Lazy J Farms Feed & Hay :

Quote:
Actually Blue Seal is owned by a Family Conglomerate based in Muscatine, Iowa.

Yes but they operate as an independent subsidiary and their headquartes is in NH.​

 

[seedcorn]

Organic is a joke in animal feed. I'll save the tirade for another post as we've covered this many times before.

If you are selling them to friends, don't need to label them at all. They are eggs laid by hens you own. If they want to know the hens environment, tell them. Most people just want eggs and if they can get them fresh off of farm the better they like it.

 

[Ridgerunner]

You asked for opinions, not necessarily facts, and I have opinions.

To me, the term "organic" is a legalistic term and often leaves the bounds of common sense behind. I read a post a couple of days ago that said if you used treated lumber in your run or coop, you could not call your eggs organic. To me, that's over the top. Once you get to that degree, you are not adding anything of value.

If you are giving the eggs to friends and not selling them, you are released from some of the legalistic restraints. I'm so opinionated that I believe if you call something organic, you need to go all the way or you are being dishonest. I know. Hardheaded and intolerant.

There was an article in Mother Earth that reported the difference in free range eggs to store bought. I don't vouch for its reliability but it is interesting.

http://www.motherearthnews.com/Real-Foo … -Eggs.aspx

I believe if you do the best you can with what you have, let them forage on green active ground as much as you can, supplement their food with what greens and other natural food they would get if the free-ranged, and keep them from living in filth, you are getting the best eggs you can for yourself and your friends. It is good enough.

I feel better!

 

[CovenantCreek]

I'm willing to pay the higher cost plus shipping to get soy-free organic feed for my flock. I don't do it because I can charge a premium for the eggs -- I do it because I want the food I produce at home to be better for my daughter than what I can buy at the store. I don't like the idea of feeding my child a lot of chemical residues, so I eliminate them where I can.

 

[Bullwinkle]

Quote:
Your link was broke.

Link: http://www.motherearthnews.com/Relish/Free-Range-Versus-Pastured-Chicken-And-Eggs.aspx

 

[Ridgerunner]

Quote:
Your link was broke.

Link: http://www.motherearthnews.com/Relish/Free-Range-Versus-Pastured-Chicken-And-Eggs.aspx

Thanks, I'll fix it for next time.

 

[sugarbush]

Using the word "organic" on an item that is not certified organic by the usda has been a crime since 2002 and is punishable by 10,000 dollar fine.

Besides; organic is such a scam now days. For example: maple syrup can be certified organic by the USDA and there is absolutely nothing different between organic and non-organic maple syrup, but they can charge a higher price for it.

Honey can be certified organic also but us beekeepers have no way of knowing what the flowers that our bees collected the nectar and pollen from were treated with.....

 

[seedcorn]

Quote:
Not trying to advocate RR soybeans (most soybean meal is made from RR varieties) but RR soybean fields use MUCH less toxic chemicals to kill weeds.

Any source of grain protein will use more toxic chemical for weed control than glyphosates. Argue against RR technology all you want but you won't change the facts of the other chemicals used in Ag. (There isn't enough chemical free grain in WORLD to supply half of the feed sold as "organic")

So you then must use animal proteins. Good luck when you study how they are processed and what they are.

Again, I aplaud your effort, but don't throw the baby out w/the bath water.

 

[futurefarmer08]

We feed our chickens organic (Purina) but we don't have a huge flock. I agree that sometimes with some things organic is not much different from reg. products. However, that being acknowledged with organic, you are not getting genetically altered corn or other by products. Therefore your chickens will be healthier and so will your eggs for you to eat. At least with organic you have a better idea of what is going into your chickens being natural.
Look at what happened with pets and the Melamine in their food. A lot of the organic products were not having as much of a problem with that because they go through more checks. Sometimes it Isn't cost effective, I agree. We do it because we want more control over what's in our food. I have been eating organic for a few years now and I feel much better. No one needs extra pesticides and additives. Yes, some people go over the top but If you keep your land free of pesticides (To the extent you can) and let them free range you will have healthier eggs too. I would go with the other suggestions of all natural healthy hens.

 

[seedcorn]

organic, you are not getting genetically altered corn or other by products

& u no this how? Do your homework, you will get HUGE surprise.

All non-GMO corn used only has to pass 1 test that shows no GMO. They can run as many as they want to find that test--and do. A lot of the feed fed, doesn't even pass this inspection. It's ground at the same mill.