Non-GMO feed indicates that the grains used in chicken feed have not been genetically modified to resist herbicides or tolerate pests.
Non-GMO feed also supports small farmers who raise heritage chicken breeds that breed naturally and have slower growth rates compared to industrial broiler strains. Unfortunately, not all non-GMO feed is organic.
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Better Health
Non-GMO chicken feed ensures your backyard hens receive a balanced, non-GMO diet free from genetically modified organisms (GMOs). This feed features ingredients that have not been altered in a lab setting and was produced using ethical and sustainable growing practices. Look out for products with the Non-GMO Project Verified label accompanied by the butterfly symbol; this third-party certification ensures testing was conducted as part of auditing to confirm they truly do not contain GMOs.
Over the years, most chickens raised for meat have been genetically engineered to maximize egg and other nutrient production – but this process also comes with serious welfare concerns. Rapid growth increases risk for white stripping disease – which causes muscle fibers to replace themselves with fat deposits leading to broken bones – while they are also exposed to herbicides and pesticides that could harm both them, other animals, as well as people.
Better Eggs
Hens fed non-GMO feed produce eggs with richer yolks, softer texture, and bolder flavors than those produced from GMO-fed birds. Furthermore, their absence requires less pesticides and herbicides being applied, providing both chickens and farmers a safer environment in which to work together.
Studies have confirmed that eating one to three eggs every week does not increase your risk for diabetes or heart disease, according to research. Furthermore, an analysis of eight prospective cohort studies concluded that daily consumption does not raise your coronary heart disease risk or stroke incidence.
Selecting eggs labelled Non-GMO Project Verified feed is the surest way to guarantee they are GMO free. Achieve certification requires companies to undergo extensive paperwork and audits in order to display the butterfly emblem – making your search for quality eggs much simpler! This extra step makes selecting healthy, eco-friendly eggs much simpler!
Better Environment
A non-GMO label signifies that the grains and ingredients used to manufacture chicken feed have not been genetically modified in a laboratory; rather, they have been grown using traditional farming practices that have stood the test of time.
Genetically engineered crops have been designed to withstand herbicides, produce more yield, and provide resistance against viruses, bacteria, and insects – but their production can have potentially dire repercussions for both animals and plants.
Chickens fed a diet of non-GMO chicken feed can bypass exposure to potentially toxic chemicals, leading to healthier birds and creating an overall safer environment for animals (and humans alike).
Some people choose non-GMO chicken feed because they believe it to be better for the environment. Non-GMO feed typically consists of organically grown grains that are free from synthetic herbicides, pesticides and fertilizers; creating a healthier food chain from grain to chicken egg. Furthermore, organically grown grains contain essential vitamins that your backyard flock’s bodies require.
Better Taste
Once digested, there is no nutritional difference between chicken fed GMO or non-GMO crops, yet eating non-GMO chicken can give you the satisfaction of supporting sustainable agriculture practices and decreasing our dependence on chemical herbicides and pesticides.
Farmers who produce non-GMO feed have access to less toxic and safer fertilizers and herbicides for crop yield protection, as well as forgoing antibiotic use which has the potential of contributing to human resistance, negatively affecting human health.
Chicken feed that bears the label “Non-GMO” must be free from genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Many companies claim their feed meets this standard; to verify this claim, use the Non-GMO Project verification process which involves paperwork and on-site audits before being awarded their recognizable butterfly emblem from this process.
