How Do I Feed My Laying Hens Non GMO?

[~gd]

I decided a few years ago not to eat any gmo food myself or feed it to my family. Lately it has been bothering me

that I feed layer, game bird and scratch to my hens that most probably contain gmo grains. I was told they mix up all the corn,

soy etc. so you can't know if there are any gmo's. So howcome they can tell overseas [some places require GMO to be labeled] It sounds like the greens have fed you a bunch of miss information. Did the fact that Whole paycheck I mean Whole Foods reported their profits were up 31% I suspect it is mostly gmo corn and soy. How can I feed my hens

non gmo's so they get enough protein to lay well?

 

[Beekissed]

I'd keep a watch on your local ads. I've seen some ads for very cheap, non-GMO corn offered by local farmers all sacked up in the bags. I'm wondering if the Amish still grow from non-GMO seed?

My SS feed store in the next town only buys from local farmers and I don't see any signs on their fields about GMO seeds, so I'm not sure if it is or if it isn't. They don't cut tassles off around here, so I'm thinking they aren't GMO? Don't you have to remove tassles to prevent cross pollination if you use Monsatan seed?

 

[me&thegals]

The only way to know for sure would be to buy organic or directly from a farmer whom you trust.

Beekissed--Cutting tassels off can also be because they're growing for seed corn. Most of the corn
around here keeps it tassles, GMO or not. Only the seed corn gets detassled...

And Monsanto doesn't care if your corn cross-pollinates. They just care if you replant it afterwards.

 

[Beekissed]

Good info to know.

 

[Woodland Woman]

Right now I am paying $28 for (I think it is) 40 lbs. It is whole grain, which I prefer over pellets. But, yes, my recollection is that food labeled "organic" cannot be GMO. However, I have heard that there is no such thing as non-GMO corn anymore, as the GM genes have spread into the organic corn crops (cross pollination in corn is very hard to avoid). The feed I use does not have soy or corn in it.

About 3 years ago our local feed store had organic feed but I wasn't really impressed. It contained various grains and a lot of CHAFF. I wasn't about to pay double for that. They don't carry it now anyway.

 

[Woodland Woman]

I'd keep a watch on your local ads. I've seen some ads for very cheap, non-GMO corn offered by local farmers all sacked up in the bags. I'm wondering if the Amish still grow from non-GMO seed?

My SS feed store in the next town only buys from local farmers and I don't see any signs on their fields about GMO seeds, so I'm not sure if it is or if it isn't. They don't cut tassles off around here, so I'm thinking they aren't GMO? Don't you have to remove tassles to prevent cross pollination if you use Monsatan seed?

That is a good idea. I have checked craigs list quite often but haven't seen any but there are some Amish people north of here. I wonder if I could contact them somehow to see if they grow any non gmo corn.

 

[MetalSmitten]

In this mash the corn is the carb, milk and egg is the protein, then veggie scraps and meat scrap add to it. Then you can free range for extra greenery and over all health.

This idea comes from the Backwoods Home Writer Jackie Clay.

do you happen to know any specific ratios? i've been really wanting to make my own feed for my chickens, but any time i try to look up recipes, i either find recipes that are overly complicated and involve 20 different semi-exotic ingredients (flax seed! kelp meal! etc) that i can't grow myself, OR i'll find whole threads of people saying that it simply can't be done, you'll kill your chickens if you even try, just buy feed, etc etc. =/ it's been disheartening. and i'm pretty sure that people 100 years ago didn't buy pre-mix feed or kelp meal.

 

[MyKidLuvsGreenEgz]

Metal: It's propaganda to get you to pay for gmo corn and other grains. NOT feeding them corn will NOT kill them!

Grow (or buy) what's best for you ... sunflowers, dried beans, etc. I'm sure when people started domesticating the chicken they didn't stress about what to feed it, and sure as heck didn't have corn. Provide protein, grains, bugs, greens, and a little dairy to help form egg shells. Remember the sand and small pebbles for digestion. Allow as much free-ranging as possible and maybe grow a garden just for them.

 

[BarredBuff]

In this mash the corn is the carb, milk and egg is the protein, then veggie scraps and meat scrap add to it. Then you can free range for extra greenery and over all health.

This idea comes from the Backwoods Home Writer Jackie Clay.

do you happen to know any specific ratios? i've been really wanting to make my own feed for my chickens, but any time i try to look up recipes, i either find recipes that are overly complicated and involve 20 different semi-exotic ingredients (flax seed! kelp meal! etc) that i can't grow myself, OR i'll find whole threads of people saying that it simply can't be done, you'll kill your chickens if you even try, just buy feed, etc etc. =/ it's been disheartening. and i'm pretty sure that people 100 years ago didn't buy pre-mix feed or kelp meal.

No I think its more of a mix what you can to make a mash..............

 

[MetalSmitten]

unfortunately, free ranging isn't an option here unless i want to be feeding raccoons and coyotes. i already give them whatever scraps we have and lawn clippings and whatnot, but, i'm tired of buying feed.

anybody ever try feeding sprouted corn? good idea/bad idea?

(PS - sorry for kinda going off on a related tangent in here...)