Frequently Asked Questions:
Chicken and Feed Terms Glossary & Definitions
Q. Do you have to pay fees to be part of this Wholesale Group?
A. No. There is no membership or fees, or order minimums. You can just sign up for the email reminders, so you don't miss the deadlines for the upcoming orders. We do NOT share emails with anyone.
Q. How often does the Organic Wholesale Club order?
A. Every two months.
Q. Why do you have to prepay?
A. Because this is a co-op, and no one person funds the amount of other peoples orders. By prepaying this reduces risk of the co-op in case people order and never pay and do not pickup their feed.
Q. Since the feed pickup is on a Saturday, what happens if I cannot pickup my feed on that day?
A. The feed remains covered by tarps at the pickup location for a couple of days. If a you haven't picked up your feed by the following Wednesday, the feed is removed to a location in Gilbert where it is covered and protected until those who could not pickup can go an pick it up, in Gilbert
Q. Where does the fish meal in the soy free feeds come from? Why isn't the fishmeal ingredient labelled organic?
A. The fish meal in our feeds is WILD CAUGHT sardines, caught out of the Gulf of California. It isn't possible to certify organic a product that is wild caught. However wild caught products can be used in organic rations as we do in our non soy feeds. Click here for the 1 minute audio response from our ration formulator regarding regular fishmeal testing for radiation etc.
Q. Where are the pickup points in Arizona?
A. Yes. There are two pickup points. One in Phoenix, Mesa, Tucson, Show Low and Flagstaff
PHOENIX:
Berridge Nurseries
4647 E. Camelback Rd
Phoenix, AZ 85018
Phoenix map
MESA:
Treeland Nurseries
2900 S Country Club Dr,
Mesa, AZ 85210
Mesa map
TUCSON:
1861 W Grant Rd #105
Tucson, AZ 85745
Tucson map
SHOW LOW:
Various dates and places coordinated by a local in the White Mountains
FLAGSTAFF:
Various locations and varied dates, due to lower volume, but still operating
If the drive is too far, some are teaming up with other backyard chicken farmers to share in the gas expense of driving to Phoenix.
Q. Can you have the truck stop in Prescott, or other areas?
A. Yes, but there are two elements which must be in place.
A1. Volume for an additional stop must be 2500lbs of total feed.
A2. There must be a forklift and/or pallet jack where the truck unloads the pallet[s] of feed.
If these two elements can be accomplished, you can have a pallet dropped off at a place of your choosing.
Q. Do you carry pellets or crumble?
A. No. Our current supplier does not have a feed pellet machine. However, we do have alfalfa pellets (small rabbit sized, although many feed these smaller pellets to their horses too).
Q. What is the difference between Pellet feeds and Mash feeds.
A. There are 2 answer to this question; practical answer & scientific answer.
A1. Practical - People generally prefer pellet because there is less feed dust, which is perceived as waste. However, there is a simple solution to this purported mash feed dust problem. Click here for 1 minute video instruction on how to get your birds to eat the fine powder in all feeds.
A2. Scientific - Pelletization of mash feed is an extra process which reforms the mashed feed into small pellets. Research has shown that pellets of the exact same mash feed cause chickens (broilers) to gain weight more quickly than the same amount in mash form. However, the risk of chickens developing ascites increase by 50% with the pellets. Read Abstract of Study
Q. How are your prices so much lower than other organic feeds available?
A. The Organic Feed Club has low overhead and is not driven by profit. The goal is to allows backyard chicken farmers to eliminate GMOs in our eggs and meat by feeding organic feed and improve the health of the community. Although organic feeds cost more, there are benefits. Multiple group members report:
1. Increase in egg production (especially when switching from conventional feed)
2. Yolks turn brighter, almost orange.
3. One report of 5 year old bird, who quit laying 2 years earlier, started laying again after switching to the soy free feed.
4. Chickens are happier...............perceived by owners subjectively.
Q. What type of chickens are the best?
A. It depends on your goals, but here is a brief video which reviews chicken breed dynamics one may consider.
Q. Can I Feed my chicken's their own eggshells?
A. Most say you should not. The reason is because once a chicken gets a taste of eating their own eggs, they usually never stop. Eggshells look like eggs and cause your birds to associate eggshell with food. However, here is video which shows a few steps one can take to transform your eggshells, so your birds can eat them and avoids the risk of cannabalism.
Q. Sparrows and finches are eating my chicken's feed. How can I prevent that?
A. There are treadle feeders, which prevent little neighborhood birds from eating feed you put out for your chickens. It does take 3-7 days for your birds to learn how to use it. This can save you more than 50% of your feed cost because there are endless numbers of flying birds which can come by and sift a little off the top. Just click here to learn if you can build your own treadle feeder.
Q. What is the different between Hard Red Winter Whole Wheat and Soft White Spring Whole Wheat?
A. Spring Wheat is planted in the spring and matures in August. Winter Wheat is planted in the fall for partial growth then goes dormant for winter and resumes growth in the spring. Winter wheat harvest is in June or July. Winter Wheats are considered more hardy and best for sprouting probably because they can withstand a winter cold and then keep growing. Click here for further baking and flavor comparison's in breads.
Chicken and Feed Terms Glossary & Definitions
Q. Do you have to pay fees to be part of this Wholesale Group?
A. No. There is no membership or fees, or order minimums. You can just sign up for the email reminders, so you don't miss the deadlines for the upcoming orders. We do NOT share emails with anyone.
Q. How often does the Organic Wholesale Club order?
A. Every two months.
Q. Why do you have to prepay?
A. Because this is a co-op, and no one person funds the amount of other peoples orders. By prepaying this reduces risk of the co-op in case people order and never pay and do not pickup their feed.
Q. Since the feed pickup is on a Saturday, what happens if I cannot pickup my feed on that day?
A. The feed remains covered by tarps at the pickup location for a couple of days. If a you haven't picked up your feed by the following Wednesday, the feed is removed to a location in Gilbert where it is covered and protected until those who could not pickup can go an pick it up, in Gilbert
Q. Where does the fish meal in the soy free feeds come from? Why isn't the fishmeal ingredient labelled organic?
A. The fish meal in our feeds is WILD CAUGHT sardines, caught out of the Gulf of California. It isn't possible to certify organic a product that is wild caught. However wild caught products can be used in organic rations as we do in our non soy feeds. Click here for the 1 minute audio response from our ration formulator regarding regular fishmeal testing for radiation etc.
Q. Where are the pickup points in Arizona?
A. Yes. There are two pickup points. One in Phoenix, Mesa, Tucson, Show Low and Flagstaff
PHOENIX:
Berridge Nurseries
4647 E. Camelback Rd
Phoenix, AZ 85018
Phoenix map
MESA:
Treeland Nurseries
2900 S Country Club Dr,
Mesa, AZ 85210
Mesa map
TUCSON:
1861 W Grant Rd #105
Tucson, AZ 85745
Tucson map
SHOW LOW:
Various dates and places coordinated by a local in the White Mountains
FLAGSTAFF:
Various locations and varied dates, due to lower volume, but still operating
If the drive is too far, some are teaming up with other backyard chicken farmers to share in the gas expense of driving to Phoenix.
Q. Can you have the truck stop in Prescott, or other areas?
A. Yes, but there are two elements which must be in place.
A1. Volume for an additional stop must be 2500lbs of total feed.
A2. There must be a forklift and/or pallet jack where the truck unloads the pallet[s] of feed.
If these two elements can be accomplished, you can have a pallet dropped off at a place of your choosing.
Q. Do you carry pellets or crumble?
A. No. Our current supplier does not have a feed pellet machine. However, we do have alfalfa pellets (small rabbit sized, although many feed these smaller pellets to their horses too).
Q. What is the difference between Pellet feeds and Mash feeds.
A. There are 2 answer to this question; practical answer & scientific answer.
A1. Practical - People generally prefer pellet because there is less feed dust, which is perceived as waste. However, there is a simple solution to this purported mash feed dust problem. Click here for 1 minute video instruction on how to get your birds to eat the fine powder in all feeds.
A2. Scientific - Pelletization of mash feed is an extra process which reforms the mashed feed into small pellets. Research has shown that pellets of the exact same mash feed cause chickens (broilers) to gain weight more quickly than the same amount in mash form. However, the risk of chickens developing ascites increase by 50% with the pellets. Read Abstract of Study
Q. How are your prices so much lower than other organic feeds available?
A. The Organic Feed Club has low overhead and is not driven by profit. The goal is to allows backyard chicken farmers to eliminate GMOs in our eggs and meat by feeding organic feed and improve the health of the community. Although organic feeds cost more, there are benefits. Multiple group members report:
1. Increase in egg production (especially when switching from conventional feed)
2. Yolks turn brighter, almost orange.
3. One report of 5 year old bird, who quit laying 2 years earlier, started laying again after switching to the soy free feed.
4. Chickens are happier...............perceived by owners subjectively.
Q. What type of chickens are the best?
A. It depends on your goals, but here is a brief video which reviews chicken breed dynamics one may consider.
Q. Can I Feed my chicken's their own eggshells?
A. Most say you should not. The reason is because once a chicken gets a taste of eating their own eggs, they usually never stop. Eggshells look like eggs and cause your birds to associate eggshell with food. However, here is video which shows a few steps one can take to transform your eggshells, so your birds can eat them and avoids the risk of cannabalism.
Q. Sparrows and finches are eating my chicken's feed. How can I prevent that?
A. There are treadle feeders, which prevent little neighborhood birds from eating feed you put out for your chickens. It does take 3-7 days for your birds to learn how to use it. This can save you more than 50% of your feed cost because there are endless numbers of flying birds which can come by and sift a little off the top. Just click here to learn if you can build your own treadle feeder.
Q. What is the different between Hard Red Winter Whole Wheat and Soft White Spring Whole Wheat?
A. Spring Wheat is planted in the spring and matures in August. Winter Wheat is planted in the fall for partial growth then goes dormant for winter and resumes growth in the spring. Winter wheat harvest is in June or July. Winter Wheats are considered more hardy and best for sprouting probably because they can withstand a winter cold and then keep growing. Click here for further baking and flavor comparison's in breads.