When I last had Chickens 9 years ago the feed always hormones in it.I would like to avoid it this time around .Does feed still have hormones or has feed become more natural ?
You need to be a member of AZ Herb Forum to add comments!
I have seen this issue come up before, I will quote briefly from the NC cooperative extension because it was the quickest link I could find that clearly stated the facts about this:
"The simple truth is hormones are not added to poultry feeds. This fallacy is fueled by inaccurate
statements made by The World Health Organization that apparently has issued a plea to stop giving growth hormones to chickens grown for human consumption. Supposedly the American Medical Association, the American Public Health Association, and other medical groups are in agreement even; however, the poultry industry does not feed hormones to their birds."
If you look at egg cartons they all say "no hormones". Apparently briefly, over 50 years ago, hormones were added in hopes of increasing production, it was quickly abandoned. However, pesticides, GMO corn etc are likely to be found in non-organic feed so the best thing you can do if you're concerned is buy organic feed, which you can easily do in town.
You can buy organic lay feed and chick starter at Aden's in Higley, Pratt's in Glendale and Stock shop at 67th ave and t-bird. No need to order it online. It costs about $27-$30 per 50 lbs, hopefully the price will drop again.
That is good to know, I just know what Mr. Hickman told me and what I have been told by chicken farmers I know in Dominica, he and they have admitted there is a hormone in layer feed that helps the hens lay. Maybe they do not really know, but assume it. Interesting the WHO, the AMA and the AMPHA all think that it is being used as well...Thanks Rachel!
They will also naturally lay if there is a rooster around, but then there is the noise to deal with...
The Stock Shop in Glendale carries organic feed. 623-487-9277
You can also order organic feed from mypetchicken.com but you'd have to pay shipping.
They have organic chick starter, developer, layer mash, and layer pellets.
We purchased organic feed at Scottsdale Livestock. And, we feed our hens kitchen scraps, weeds, egg shells, stale bread (not very much though!) and let them wonder around the yard before sunset to eat whatever they find in our compost and yard. We have one hen that can find huge grubs in the compost, like she can hear them or something!
As far as I know there are always hormones in layer feed. That is what makes hens lay. I tried a couple of years ago to get one of the Hickman's interested in a plant in Dominica that I found that will make them lay without layer feed. He was not very interested (would like to know what he uses for his "organic" eggs). Seems like there should be something natural out there by now. Next time I go to Dominica I am going to try to bring back cuttings to see if the plant will grow here. Good luck! Let me know if you find anything!
Thanks Terri , I guess i keep thinking what do they eat in "the olden days"? they laid eggs back then , but I am sure they ate scraps and bugs ...so could I do that now? I will research more online.
Replies
"The simple truth is hormones are not added to poultry feeds. This fallacy is fueled by inaccurate
statements made by The World Health Organization that apparently has issued a plea to stop giving growth hormones to chickens grown for human consumption. Supposedly the American Medical Association, the American Public Health Association, and other medical groups are in agreement even; however, the poultry industry does not feed hormones to their birds."
If you look at egg cartons they all say "no hormones". Apparently briefly, over 50 years ago, hormones were added in hopes of increasing production, it was quickly abandoned. However, pesticides, GMO corn etc are likely to be found in non-organic feed so the best thing you can do if you're concerned is buy organic feed, which you can easily do in town.
You can buy organic lay feed and chick starter at Aden's in Higley, Pratt's in Glendale and Stock shop at 67th ave and t-bird. No need to order it online. It costs about $27-$30 per 50 lbs, hopefully the price will drop again.
They will also naturally lay if there is a rooster around, but then there is the noise to deal with...
You can also order organic feed from mypetchicken.com but you'd have to pay shipping.
They have organic chick starter, developer, layer mash, and layer pellets.