Vegetarian-fed Pastured Hens?

[snowbunny]

Isn't that an oxymoron? My HFS has started selling vegetarian-fed pastured hens from a local farm and I want to explain to the owner that pastured hens aren't vegetarians (nor should they be).

[Odilia]

That's pretty funny! I wonder how they manage to keep the vegetaran hens from eating bugs?

[tanyalynn]

Maybe they just mean that the supplemental feed is vegetarian? Given the animal products that are likely to be in a supplemental food for chickens, I think it may be a good idea (somehow I can't see a chicken feed company going out and collecting crickets, but I can see cow/chicken/pork byproducts, iykwim).

[Lilcrunchie]

Originally Posted by TanyaLopez

Maybe they just mean that the supplemental feed is vegetarian? Given the animal products that are likely to be in a supplemental food for chickens, I think it may be a good idea (somehow I can't see a chicken feed company going out and collecting crickets, but I can see cow/chicken/pork byproducts, iykwim).

I would agree. I'm guessing they mean no animal byproducts in the feed?

[pygmywombat]

From what I have read it would imply the hens are penned, so there isn't any ranging and that the diet is high in soy to make up for all that protein that is missing because they aren't getting animal products.

[Taedareth]

Originally Posted by pygmywombat

From what I have read it would imply the hens are penned, so there isn't any ranging and that the diet is high in soy to make up for all that protein that is missing because they aren't getting animal products.

It does sound really unnatural, forcing a bug-eating animal to become vegetarian to suit our own dietary preferences. That would be kind of like forcing cats and dogs (natural carnivores) to eat only grain-and-vegetable-based chow. Oh, but wait - we already do that

[spughy]

Originally Posted by Taedareth

It does sound really unnatural, forcing a bug-eating animal to become vegetarian to suit our own dietary preferences. That would be kind of like forcing cats and dogs (natural carnivores) to eat only grain-and-vegetable-based chow. Oh, but wait - we already do that

Speak for yourself! My dog gets only raw meat and veg. She is a happy pup. Strictly speaking though, many dogs (including the domestic variety, but also notably foxes and *especially* coyotes) are not complete carnivores - they are opportunistic omnivores, and do well with a small amount of vegetable matter in their diets.

Sorry for the digression. I cringe every time I see an egg carton labeled "vegetarian-fed" - just like I cringe when I see "grain-fed" on anything at the grocery store.

[tboroson]

Well, given that you happen to know the hens are really pastured, I'd take it as a positive: it means there are no scary rendered animal bits in their supplemental feed. But usually, I see "vegetarian fed" to imply entirely grain fed.b

[Leilalu]

It sounds like they are getting a non animal parts feed. But do you actually know if they see the sun and grass? This is my biggest worry...

*SIGH* I really want an acre and some chickens or ducks...

[snowbunny]

Originally Posted by Leilalu

It sounds like they are getting a non animal parts feed. But do you actually know if they see the sun and grass? This is my biggest worry...

I have no idea, really. I haven't seen them in her store since that one day. So who knows.

I usually get mine from the same people that we buy our milk from. It kinda bothers me if I haven't actually seen the chickens pecking around, KWIM?

[Periwinkle]

yes it's an oxymoron! But a lot of (clueless) people buying eggs want to hear their chickens aren't being fed cow feces and brains, so they want their chickens fed "organic vegetarian" diet, but they also know "pastured" is good, so the people put both labels on the carton to suit both. Also, sometimes you DO have to feed chickens and it's good to know when this does occur (e.g., there's 8 feet of snow on the ground ) it's just scraps and/or real chicken feed. A pastured chicken should not be getting much feed if any most months.

[tabitha]

Originally Posted by Periwinkle

A pastured chicken should not be getting much feed if any most months.

this isnt true for meat birds. i mean, our layers dont get much feed during good months, it is true. they have other things to eat and do. but you cannot buy meat birds that are not fed grain 24hrs a day for their entire lives, even when they are raised on pasture. i am not trying to be a nay-sayer, but it is good to know what these labels actually mean. they can vary, but they do not vary to grain-free meat birds.

here are some links

http://www.apppa.org/
http://www.polyfacefarms.com/

[Periwinkle]

It depends where you live. I've bought from Polyface (been there twice) and from various farms in Lancaster, PA - I buy roasters and broilers and have yet to see them anywhere but pecking around the pasture. But I totally agree these labels especially for poultry are extremely hard to figure out and misleading. And of course you can't expect chickens to be on pasture when there is snow covering the ground. So if you live in a temperate area, they should be on pasture more months than not, but sure if you're in Maine (especially this year!) that's going to be tough.