Organic Chicken Feed

[RichZ]

I finally got my shed that I,m going to use as a hen house. I,m ordering my chicks from Murray McMurray...I would like to sell ORGANIC eggs. Does anyone know a source of organic chicken feed, either in upstate New York (or Vermont) or by mail order? Thanks for all the help from you guys on the chickens. Maybe, now you can help me with this one.
Thanks!!
Rich

 

[BobT]

Try this contact. I am not sure if the info is current, but they might be able to give you some leads.

Renee Dolfinger
NY State Natural Food Assoc.
1 Cobey Terrace
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
914-454-7807

There are some fairly strict requirements for using the "organic" label. Among them in NY state, I believe, is going back a fairly long time, around 10 years, with provable non-pesticide and non-chemical use on your land.

You might also call Natural Health magazine in Boston and talk to one of the editors who knows about organic growing and standards. They have a terrific Rolodex, and will likely have plenty of contacts for you.

I am ALL FOR what you are doing. But I think some regulation has crept in.

BobT.
A Indiana Boy

 

[BobT]

P.S. Heck, call Rodale Press (Organic Gardening Mgazine) in Emmaus, PA. They started it all.

BobT.
A Indiana Boy

 

[Boondox]

Bugs, sprouts and seeds on my own property keep my hens pretty happy. In Japanese beetle season the hens look like popcorn out there in the field jumping up to get the morsels! Instead of going organic with all the rules and regs, consider going as organic as possible and calling them range-fed birds. Lot less fuss and bother, with just as many marketing opportunities.

Chickens are a blast! The entire flock follows me around like little fluffballs.

Pete

www.GatewayToVermont.com

 

[BobT]

Here's another contact I found:

Pat Kane, Administrator
NOFA-NY
Organic Farm Certification
RD #1, Box 134A
Port Crane, NY 13833
607-648-5557

BobT.
A Indiana Boy

 

[RichZ]

Thanks for all the info, Bob! I'm checking them all out. For an Indiana boy, you sure came up with a lot of resources in New York! /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif
Rich

 

[RichZ]

Thanks, Pete! As you said, we're going to go as organic as possible. As usual, I agree with you! Sometimes you really scare me, I'm not used to having someone that I'm in agreement with so often! /w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif
Rich

 

[Boondox]

No problem, Rich. Funny how we think alike, live in the same part of the country, and even chose similar professions! (I'm an epidemiologist by training.)

You ever get up this way, be sure to look us up.

Pete

www.GatewayToVermont.com

 

[BobT]

No problem Rich. I did a fair share of organic farming over the past 20 years or so, and have added names to my contact database as I came across them in variuouys publications, shows & fairs, etc. I haven't updated those NY names, so can't vouch for them. But hopefully you'll be able to get on the track of the info & tools you need. Best of luck.

BobT.
A Indiana Boy

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Natural Chicken Feed Website

{Our chickens are so mean... they eat anything!}

Rich,

When is Salem Farm Supply’s next auction up there?