Why Do People Buy Live Chicks From Breeders and Farm Stores‭?

[lomine]

Unfortunately those X's are a bit of a sham.

The difference with being able to label organic vs things like ‘free range’ or ‘cage free’ is that you have to be accredited by the USDA first. That means following specific restrictions, inspections, record keeping, and periodic audits. So while the birds probably aren’t as well off as those is well loved small flocks, it is a label with a bit more backing it than some of those beloved hype words.

 

[MissChick@dee]

The organic and factory farm are the same kind of “breeds,” i.e. CX. The higher price of organic not only covers the more expensive feed costs but also the more expensive husbandry costs. To be labeled organic the chickens have to have X amount of space (way more than the factory farm) and X amount of time outside on grass (that’s not treated with any chemicals). They are probably adding a little extra price too just because they can. I think for those that buy organic, it’s not just about what the chicken ate but also about how it was treated. I don’t think there is a difference in taste. That’s just an assumption, I don’t buy organic because I don’t have a problem with gmos and it’s just too expensive for me. Plus I raise my own so I don’t need to buy chicken from the store unless it’s a rotisserie. Yum.

(In a whisper)
rottiissserrrrieeeeee

 

[aart]

The difference with being able to label organic vs things like ‘free range’ or ‘cage free’ is that you have to be accredited by the USDA first. That means following specific restrictions, inspections, record keeping, and periodic audits. So while the birds probably aren’t as well off as those is well loved small flocks, it is a label with a bit more backing it than some of those beloved hype words.

Yeah, well, maybe quite not the same.....but, my brother was an organic truck farmer for 40 years..he saw a decent system get pared down and loop holed with lack of enforcement so it sure is similar, not all you'd hope it really was.

 

[Chickassan]

Yes I am aware that the same product is often marketed differently at a much increased price. My query is simply how good can a five dollar chicken really be? Even at five dollars the price is inflated for someone to make a profit. So not even five dollars is going into the bird. Factor in the cost of running the operation electricty, labor, etc. Maybe two dollars is actually going into that bird nutrition wise in the span of it's lifetime. That is what puzzles me. How good can a bird actually be that has been fed for less than a two liter soda?

Nope. The way things are marketed today, they WANT you to think the more expensive product is better, but I don't feel that way. The only issue I have is that I dislike when they inject poultry with chicken stock or water or brine, I basically resent that they're beefing up the weight artificially. Chicken pretty much always tastes like chicken to me. I actually don't like the extra gaminess of my own older roosters that I've butchered.

 

[Fluffy&Cutie]

holy cow, it's a long thread. here's my 2 cents... i don't hatch, because i don't know how. and if i did and they all died-i would cry. if i hatched roosters that i would have to give away after growing attached-i would cry. i don't ship chicks because it stresses them out and so many die...i would cry. i have researched breeders here in southern california. looked for breeds i like, and most importantly npip certificates. the ones i do business with don't let you into the chicken space (she meets you in the driveway). and i am ok with that. i also picked my birds out from a picture...it has a number/wing band and some information. it slows down my chicken math so that i get the right bird the right way for me...for my ideals and principles. i am lucky because most of my favorite breeds are close enough to drive to...a few hours, but i like road trips. they tend to be more expensive, but i'm ok with that, i budget for my chicken addiction. i have not found a breeder yet for my FAVORITE breed, so that will have to wait. it will mean so much more when i finally get her!

 

[fur-mum]

The organic and factory farm are the same kind of “breeds,” i.e. CX. To be labeled organic the chickens have to have X amount of space (way more than the factory farm) and X amount of time outside on grass (that’s not treated with any chemicals).

This got me curious, so I did some research, and until last year (2017) when the new law was passed there was no minimum space requirement for poultry. They did go outside, but it didn't mean they had to be on grass. The new law went into effect 3/20/18 but layer and broiler operations have until 2022 to meet the both the indoor and outdoor requirements, which state "The indoor stocking densities for layers allow a maximum of 3.0 – 4.5 pounds of bird per square foot of indoor space depending on the housing type .... Outdoor space for poultry is a maximum of 2.25 pounds of bird per square foot for layers; 5.0 pounds of bird per square foot for broilers. The outdoor areas will need to have at least 50 percent vegetated soil areas."

https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/OLPPExternalQA.pdf

 

[lomine]

Yeah, well, maybe quite not the same.....but, my brother was an organic truck farmer for 40 years..he saw a decent system get pared down and loop holed with lack of enforcement so it sure is similar, not all you'd hope it really was.

The system is for sure not perfect but at least it’s better than some of the other words and phrases they can slap all over labels. Of course none of it really matters if the consumer doesn’t educate themselves.

 

[lomine]

This got me curious, so I did some research, and until last year (2017) when the new law was passed there was no minimum space requirement for poultry. They did go outside, but it didn't mean they had to be on grass. The new law went into effect 3/20/18 but layer and broiler operations have until 2022 to meet the both the indoor and outdoor requirements, which state "The indoor stocking densities for layers allow a maximum of 3.0 – 4.5 pounds of bird per square foot of indoor space depending on the housing type .... Outdoor space for poultry is a maximum of 2.25 pounds of bird per square foot for layers; 5.0 pounds of bird per square foot for broilers. The outdoor areas will need to have at least 50 percent vegetated soil areas."

https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/OLPPExternalQA.pdf

I think a rise in consumer education has lead to people pushing for better treatment of feed animals.

 

[fur-mum]

I think a rise in consumer education has lead to people pushing for better treatment of feed animals.

I'm sure of that. I just thought that even with the new rules, it's still a pretty small space for an "organic" bird.

Btw, this is a link to a bunch of the different "labels" that can be used and what they mean.

https://foodanimalconcernstrust.org...MIm5H5pZCU3gIVhbjACh0e6gVqEAAYAiAAEgKkU_D_BwE

 

[adstowe]

That sounds like a horribly small space. Might be an improvement, but not remotely good. I guess it's still better than a 1 sq ft cage. I let my birds free range and I know it's not for everyone. I feed them all sorts of scraps. Lasagna leftovers? Taco meat? Basically anything left over from dinner makes a good treat. The whole organic thing is blown way out of proportion. If that is your lifestyle and that's the way you you eat, fine. Everyone else... There's no point feeding all organic stuff to your birds if you went to taco bell for lunch.