xScrunchee Posted May 15, 2007 Share Posted May 15, 2007 I am having trouble finding somewhere local who sell organic layers pellets. They would need to be either-quite close or be able to deliver as we have no car! The only places I have found that deliver charge quite alot so it's a bit of a nightmare yet I can get non organic layers pellets and mixed corn easily. What makes you all choose to buy organic or non organic? And what are the pro's and cons of both Cheers in advance. I'm going out now to move the run and clean the Eglu in the rain!! Great! Hoping the sun will shine! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tina C Posted May 15, 2007 Share Posted May 15, 2007 Did you get very wet? I choose to buy organic because I want the best quality eggs I can get, However, not all of the stuff my chickens eat is organic (organic worms???) We do have some organic veg but not everything we eat is organic - yet - and they share our veg. If I had problems sourcing organic then I would go for non-organic without too many qualms. You don't say, but can you get non-organic pellets locally? If you can, ask them to order in organic for you - that's what my supplier does as they use Allen & Page and have deliveries every week anyway. (I do have to pay in advance). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocchick Posted May 15, 2007 Share Posted May 15, 2007 That's a good idea, I will ask my normal supplier. I get non-organic from the nearest pet shop that is from a relatively local supplier. There is a shop that is a drive out, but I would have to order. I like to feel it is nice to support tiny local shops/local supplier so don't feel that bad about non-organic. I would avoid additives. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
debratugwell Posted May 15, 2007 Share Posted May 15, 2007 I agree with Tina. I use organic pellets as we eat a lot of organic food so want to ensure that what is going back into me/my family is organic. My stockist doesn't normally have organic pellets, but he orders it in for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted May 15, 2007 Share Posted May 15, 2007 I agree with Tina. I use organic pellets as we eat a lot of organic food so want to ensure that what is going back into me/my family is organic. My stockist doesn't normally have organic pellets, but he orders it in for me. Me too Debra. I get the organic Allen & Page pellets either from Omlet, or a local feed supplier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali-s Posted May 15, 2007 Share Posted May 15, 2007 I buy non organic layers mash as I can't get organic feed up here. It is GM free If I want to order organic feed I have to buy it by the tonne I only have 4 Bantams Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gallina Posted May 15, 2007 Share Posted May 15, 2007 I buy non-organic for the same reason as you: I don't have a car, and the only people who will deliver sell non-organic. I feel that pellets are rather unnatural anyway (even the organic ones didn't grow in a field like that), so I don't let it worry me, as the hens seem well (although they are not laying as much as I would like this year). Does anyone know exactly what goes in layers' pellets? Is it the crop sprays and fertilizer in non-organic pellets that worry you, or the contents? And what is the difference in price between organic and inorganic? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xScrunchee Posted May 15, 2007 Author Share Posted May 15, 2007 I would love to know the answers to those questions too. Do people buy organic because of their own lifestyle and the fact that they eat the eggs or because they feel that organic ones are much better for the hens? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaime Posted May 15, 2007 Share Posted May 15, 2007 I buy Organic because there's no pesticides used in the growing of the crop that makes either the pellets or the poultry corn mix. I figure that has to be better for the hens, us when we eat the eggs and the planet cos fewer/no chemicals are used. We tend to buy organic veg and environmentally friendly products where suitable alternatives exist for the same reasons. We do try to be mindful of the resources we use however we still have a car and we fly on holiday to see family abroad. I think you have to keep things in perspective. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tara Posted May 16, 2007 Share Posted May 16, 2007 We buy organic because organic eggs are not cheap and we have them on tap.Plus its a better diet for them any way l find there poo is less smelly.When my little girl eats ones of there eggs l know she having the best.Less chemicals where u can has to be a plus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted May 16, 2007 Share Posted May 16, 2007 Like Jaime, I buy organic where I can, but sometimes it's too expensive (or it's been flown in from abroad) - you have to try and balance things. I'd bought free-range eggs for years before I got the chooks, for obvious reasons - one day there weren't any on the shelf, so I had to buy organic free-range eggs. What a difference! I never went back to the ordinary free-range ones after that. I think there is a taste difference, and since Omlet delivered organically-reared and fed hens, I wanted to keep them that way. However, if I couldn't get organic pellets, I still reckon our well-cared for, treat-fed hens produce healthier eggs than the ones you can buy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xScrunchee Posted May 16, 2007 Author Share Posted May 16, 2007 Thanks all I think I will use the time between now and when the food is running low to try and find somewhere that will deliver organic pellets and mixed corn without me having to sell a kidney to pay for it to be delivered!! If I am not successful at least I have found somewhere that sells the non- organic foods which is better than no food at all I'm sure. I did ring and ask if he can order in organic pellets for me but he said that he can't, so I will keep looking! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kathy C Posted May 17, 2007 Share Posted May 17, 2007 Allen and Page's organic feed company will deliver to your home. You can get manageable 5kg bags from them. They even have a facility on the on-line order page for where you would like the bags left if you are out. I haven't used the service yet as ours are still munching through their first bag, but I plan to. Here is the link http://www.organicfeed.co.uk/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gallina Posted May 17, 2007 Share Posted May 17, 2007 Thanks for this. But the delivery charge of £5.90 is a bit steep.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted May 17, 2007 Share Posted May 17, 2007 All our stock have Allen and Page Organic - we have to order it in at a local feed suppliers.. Any s"Ooops, word censored!"s the hens or pigs have are mostly organic as well, as that it what we eat. I do buy locally grown apples from the Farmers' Market which aren't organic but the grower uses minimal amounts of chemicals. The pigs get to eat some of these as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xScrunchee Posted May 17, 2007 Author Share Posted May 17, 2007 Thanks for this. But the delivery charge of £5.90 is a bit steep.... Must admit-I think that's a bit pricey too! Still don't know what to do Organic may be better but I can't get it locally whereas I can get non-organic from a local shop but worry if it will do any harm to my hens in the long term. Not so worried about whether the eggs are organic because we have only recently started eating free range eggs (after being on the Battery Hen Welfare Trust site). With the non-organic I am not so worried about the pesticides as I am about whether the pellets may contain anything gross-like chicken cos I wouldn't want my girls eating their cousins or grt grt grt grandparents! What have they got in them that is different to the organic other than the fact that the non-organic have no pesticides etc? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted May 17, 2007 Share Posted May 17, 2007 I haven't researched this too much I know, but I have been getting the smallholder range of layers pellets. Although they are not organic, they do contain all natural ingredients and are non GM. They are £6.90 from my local farm shop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kathy C Posted May 18, 2007 Share Posted May 18, 2007 Thanks for this. But the delivery charge of £5.90 is a bit steep.... Thanks Gallina, you are right it is steep. I'll have to look elsewhere. www.flytesofancy.co.uk. looked good too until I saw their delivery charges. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
