What Would You Consider "Organic"?

[kathyinmo]

I wonder how often this happens .... people claim organic eggs just because they fed some organic feed, and not even knowing details of the National Organic Plan. I mean really, before I had chickens when I first heard of "organic eggs," I just figured that meant they were fed organic feed.

 

[PepsNick]

Well, thank you for the help.

 

[FoodKillah]

So giving vitamins to the flock or in the first days of a chick in the water makes that chick not organic for life? I will throw it in the garbage never used it yet.

 

[Mac in Wisco]

Quote:
That depends upon the source of the vitamins. If they were derived from natural sources vs being synthesized then they would be considered organic.

If you are producing "organic" eggs for yourself, organic is whatever you want it to be. Nothing is stopping you from using those vitamins if you feel it is appropriate. Selling eggs as "Organic" to others is a whole 'nother story though...

 

[Medicine Man]

Thanks for all your insight, mac.

 

[AnnainMD]

PepsNick, do you have access to CountrySide Naturals? They have a soy-free certified organic Layer mix--it's actually whole grains, not dusty until the very end from all the stuff that sifts down. I was using it but my girls were billing it out to look for what they wanted. I switched to Blue Seal Organic Life pellets but am anxiously waiting for the Country Side Naturals to go pelleted in 2012.

 

[Mac in Wisco]

Nick, here is the Code of Federal Regulations for the National Organic Program:

http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/tex...2&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title07/7cfr205_main_02.tpl


An excerpt:

§ 205.236 Origin of livestock.

(a) Livestock products that are to be sold, labeled, or represented as organic must be from livestock under continuous organic management from the last third of gestation or hatching: Except, That:

(1) Poultry. Poultry or edible poultry products must be from poultry that has been under continuous organic management beginning no later than the second day of life


The parent stock needn't be organic. They stipulate the second day of life for poultry because that chick generally lives on nutrients from the yolk sac for the first day, a yolk sac that would have come from non-organic parents stock. All inputs from that point need to be organic to maintain the "continuous organic management" requirement.

Vaccines are considered organic, because they are produced from naturally occurring, live biologicals.

 

[ChestnutRidge]

When I was researching Barnevelders, I ended up on Farmer Johan's page. He chooses to call his produce "biologically grown." (http://www.ctbiofarmer.com/about-hmf.php)
I'm sure that your customers would be a bit confused about this term at first, but it might initiate a nice dialog about all of the great things that you do with your chickens.

 

[Lazy J Farms Feed & Hay]

Quote:
HUH? Wow.............

I can just hear it now "My birds are so much better because they use biology for growth, not chemicals." Promotion by confusion...........

 

[Organics North]

Lazy J Farms Feed & Hay :

Quote:
HUH? Wow.............

I can just hear it now "My birds are so much better because they use biology for growth, not chemicals." Promotion by confusion...........

X2...
Never heard that one before...

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One of my favorites is "beyond organic".
ON​