Organic Feed and Supplements - Humane and Healthy Poultry Production - page 31

certified by an accredited certifier. For farms that are not certified organic it may be more eco-
nomical to purchase transitional feed containing grains that are produced by farms working to-
ward the organic certification of their land. It is important that these farms have a market for
their grains to encourage the transition of conventional land to organic management.
Developing an Organic Feed Recipe
When formulating rations suitable for organic production, farmers must consider not only the
nutritional requirements of the birds, but also requirements set down by the NOP. All ingredi-
ents, supplements, and additives in feed must be reviewed before they can be used in certified
organic production. Some formulas developed for free-range systems cannot be directly trans-
lated into certified rations because of the restriction or prohibition of certain ingredients. Due to
the current prohibition of fish meal (or more specifically the preservative it contains) and the
phaseout of dl methionine in 2005 it may become increasingly difficult to formulate an organic
broiler/turkey feed with the proper amino acids. The amino acids in question are found in sub-
stantial quantities only in animal products, most of which are banned from use in organic
feeds. 4 While many organic chickens and eggs are touted as fed only a vegetarian diet, most of
these diets do contain the synthetic amino acid dl methionine to make up for the lack of animal
proteins. While birds, like geese, can graze for a living, chickens and turkeys are not vegetari-
ans and require the proper balance of amino acids to complete their protein intake. It is also im-
portant to keep in mind that the digestive system of the chicken is geared toward the digestion
of insects, seeds, and grain rather than forage, and they need concentrates. A commercially vi-
able chicken, turkey, or duck flock cannot be sustained on range alone.
Despite the above challenges, some producers have successfully formulated their own feed
rations, typically with the help of a poultry nutritionist like Jeff Mattocks or the livestock nutri-
tionist at their mill. A nutritionist can formulate rations based on which certified feed grains are
available to your feed mill, which supplements are allowed, and exactly how the birds are go-
ing to be raised. Many types of poultry require differing amounts of protein depending on their
stage of growth.
Adjusting this protein percentage can produce not only steadier, more natural weight gain,
but also decreased feed costs. There is no point in providing a laying hen with 22 percent pro-
tein; it might adversely affect her production. Some small producers attempt to use a single
feed for all livestock, adjusting the protein by adding oats or changing the formulation by mix-
ing in a vitamin pack depending on the type of animal being fed. This method works only if it's