If you plan on raising chickens for eggs or meat production, selecting non GMO feed is key to keeping them healthy and producing high-quality eggs and meat products.
Most chickens raised for meat have been genetically modified through selective breeding practices, thereby increasing growth rate while decreasing feed efficiency of commercial breeds.
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GMOs
Genetically Modified Organises, or GMOs, are created by combining DNA from multiple organisms. GMOs have been modified to resist herbicides or produce proteins that repel insects – these crops are widely used as chicken feed and often supplement soy and corn in animal diets.
Genetically modified crops (GMOs) have become an integral part of agricultural production, providing higher yields at reduced production costs while being more resistant to disease and drought. Unfortunately, critics allege that GMOs can be unsafe and lead to health issues in humans including accelerated aging and organ damage.
The Non-GMO Project Verified seal is a great indicator that a product does not contain genetically modified ingredients. To receive this label, chicken products and feed must undergo DNA contamination testing by an independent lab or audit to confirm they do not utilize GMOs during feeding processes. Typically soy and corn-based diets for laying hens are most frequently utilized; however these ingredients may be substituted with barley or rye to maintain nutritional values.
Pesticides
Industrial producers rely on pesticides and fertilizers to grow crops at profitable yield levels, but overuse of these chemicals has had devastating results on farmed animal and wild bird health, pollinator decline, chemical-resistant superweeds/pests development and disruption of local ecosystems.
Chickens are especially vulnerable to the harmful effects of GMO feed. Consuming it may cause immune system breakdown, accelerated aging, fertility issues, antibiotic resistance and many other health complications in hens.
Additionally, chickens that come into contact with too much pesticide can become highly toxic themselves. Toxic chemicals are classified by their acute oral LD50 value and must carry the warning sign DANGER or its Spanish equivalent “AVISO.” Even just a few drops inhaled or swallowed can prove fatal for young birds with lower body weight than adults; additionally these chemicals damage or kill soil microorganisms, rendering them incapable of supporting plants and possibly leading to their demise altogether.
Feed Efficiency
Feed efficiency (FE) plays an important role in body weight and hen health, with poor FE leading to Fatty Liver Hemorrhagic Syndrome (FLHS) which impedes production and egg quality. Multiple factors influence feed efficiency such as the composition and diet of ISA Brown hens; thus this study investigated relationships among these variables as well as FE.
Feed rations for chickens can be expensive, and flock owners typically aim for organic or non-GMO feeds whenever possible. Unfortunately, such options aren’t always easily accessible or affordable – making homemade feed can be cheaper but requires considerable time and effort when mixing all the ingredients.
Organic feed for laying hens should contain animal proteins such as fishmeal. This is key as it supplies essential amino acids required for their growth and development while simultaneously decreasing GMO contamination risk – something especially relevant for young laying hens as they require more protein than older birds.
Health
Non-GMO chicken feed is produced without harmful chemicals or additives and uses ethical farming practices for its ingredients. Furthermore, its premium nutrition provides essential health benefits for chickens living in backyard environments. It makes an ideal choice for anyone wanting to raise poultry as part of a hobby hobby farm!
GMOs have been linked with various adverse side effects, including immune system breakdown, organ damage, accelerated aging, resistance to antibiotics and decreased immunity. Furthermore, these crops may become contaminated with herbicides, pesticides or even sewage sludge that is then passed to both chickens and humans who consume them.
Non-GMO chicken feed is free from many of these unhealthy substances and its ingredients are grown using regenerative agriculture methods that provide positive benefits to soil. Furthermore, organic non-GMO feed may contain animal proteins like fishmeal that help meet amino acid needs of young chickens with higher protein needs. This makes for ideal solutions.
