Organic Feed and Supplements - Humane and Healthy Poultry Production - page 32

carefully monitored and could eventually cause problems with fast-growing birds like Cornish
Cross broilers or nutritionally sensitive young turkeys. Birds like pullets need to be fed for a
slow rate of gain that is intentionally designed to allow the bird to develop a stronger metabol-
ism and immune system and reduce fat production. 5 Therefore it is inadvisable to raise pullet
chicks on the same feed as broiler chicks then abruptly switch them to a laying ration. Feeding
the wrong ration can also decrease the rate of lay and make hens fat. When the price of organic
feed is high and the value of the product is high, it is more than worthwhile for a producer to
choose feeds that maximize production.
Working with Feed Mills
When buying organic feed directly from the mill, either bagged or bulk, a producer should con-
sider the following factors:
Price
• Bagged feed is more expensive due to production, packaging, and labeling costs.
• Bulk feed is typically less expensive but requires the installation of bulk storage.
• Formulations may need to be adjusted if certain ingredients like soybeans become
prohibitively expensive.
Convenience
• Large-scale mills will probably require at least a 3-ton order for custom grinding or
delivery.
• Small-scale mills will probably custom mix 500 lbs.-1 ton, but may require a much
larger order for delivery.
• Bulk feed can be gravity fed or augured.
• To save investment in trucking and storage systems, smaller operations may prefer
bagged feed.
• Most small mills do not have pellet or crumbles capability and usually only grind
mash.
Freshness
• Buy in bulk only if the feed will be used within 45 days.