Switching birds to organic feed... How long until my eggs are organic?

[yurt_dweller]

Hi peeps,

I just bought 8 hens from a lady on craiglist and she was feeding them regular layer feed from the feed store. I'm switching to certified organic feed and was curious to know... How long until my eggs are "organic"? I know chickens are born with all of the eggs they will have in their lives, so part of my thinks my eggs will never truly be organic, since all the eggs grow some every day.... Perhaps someone knows how many days from the egg being laid does it have the largest growth spurt...? Perhaps I'm over-complicating things, but I would like to know when I can sell my eggs as "fed organic feed".

Thanks!

 

[danischi24]

I'd say a month would be enough to eliminate all non-organic food from their systems & eggs that were made using the non-organic nutrients.

 

[brownhousefarm]

I have 10 ISA brown hens that I switched from regular to all-natural feed. I ran 50#of feed through them before I started labeling my eggs all-natural. Their little bodies metabolize food so fast that I figured that was enough to flush out their system. So a time frame-- 50# bag lasts 2 weeks for me but I would say a month if you wanted to be extra safe. Also feed them lots of grass that helps to flush their systems too. Several weeds act as blood clensers to humans and some animals.

 

[Fred's Hens]

As I read the rules, 100% of their feed must be organic from day #1. Rules may vary from state to state, federal USDA standards and certifying agency, but basically, you cannot "switch" over mid-stream make the claim. Some googling on these rules seems to be in order.

Here is just one: http://nofavt.org/assets/files/pdf/VOF/Guidelines for Certification of Organic Poultry.pdf

 

[twentynine]

A responder replied to a different thread that the criteria for hens being considered organic, was that they from day 1 consumed nothing but organic feed. So atleast in my opinion, the eggs from your hens can not be organic - ever.

Organic is not something you can switch back and forth with.

 

[yurt_dweller]

Thanks for the input! I'll just start fresh in the spring with my chicks then!

 

[Cindy in PA]

Most people with a a small flock do not become certified organic. Most don't claim their eggs are "organic" around here either, but it does make a difference to some people to say that your eggs are fed organic feed. For some customers that would be enough to make a difference over someone feeding conventional feed. You have to decide what you want to do & who your market is. I think the chicks have to be organic from day 2 if you want to be certified. Most chicks from hatcheries don't get their first feed until they arrive on Day 2 or 3.

 

[kizanne]

While you can't label your eggs organic for the rules..... Try just letting your customers know your practices. You feed organic feed, do you medicate? Do they free range. Most people looking for organic actually want less chemicals, humanly treated birds that are fresh and local. I'm sure you'll have enough customers that want your eggs and will appreciate your raising practices.

 

[jmlorton]

you can say they are all natural or even organic the USDA only regulates these if you want to put the USDA Organic label on the eggs if you are just selling to neighbors/friends you can call them organic because essentially they are you just would never be able to cal them organic according to the USDA

 

[LindaMerry]

Hi peeps,

I just bought 8 hens from a lady on craiglist and she was feeding them regular layer feed from the feed store. I'm switching to certified organic feed and was curious to know... How long until my eggs are "organic"? I know chickens are born with all of the eggs they will have in their lives, so part of my thinks my eggs will never truly be organic, since all the eggs grow some every day.... Perhaps someone knows how many days from the egg being laid does it have the largest growth spurt...? Perhaps I'm over-complicating things, but I would like to know when I can sell my eggs as "fed organic feed".

Thanks!

Whay kind of chickens did you get?
I Am Looking for 6 organic fed chicks?
Your question about organic eggs
Is a really good one.
I Am Just Getting Started.
I would like to know What kind of chick lays Large eggs!