The Poultry Keeper

traditionalbritishfowlco · Joined: 25 Jan 2006 Posts: 243 Location: lancashire

Hi,

I know you can't say 'organic eggs' unless you've passed all the tests and got the paperwork, but could you get away with saying 'eggs from organically reared/organically fed hens'????

Just a lil' query for ya...

mojo · Posted: Sat Mar 11, 2006 10:08 am Post subject:

mojo · Posted: Sat Mar 11, 2006 10:10 am Post subject:

you need to say something like.............feed with the best available foods and raised with care and consideration for the chickens to bring you high quality eggs

summayah · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton

You have a way with words Mojo ~ excellent sales pitch

Bhindi · Posted: Sat Mar 11, 2006 12:16 pm Post subject:

I may be wrong.. but I don't see that there should be a problem saying fed on an organic pellets...

maybe you could'nt say diet, because thats an assumption that you can guarantee the've only eatien organicly, but you would be just declaring that the bulk of their meal is of an organic product.

Claire

fenwoman · Posted: Sat Mar 11, 2006 2:53 pm Post subject:

The other thing to consider is whether the rest of their diet is organic. i.e. the fruit and veg they get daily, the grass they eat on your land.
Personally I cannot see the point of buying expensive organic pellets if the aples, cabbages, carrots etc etc you buy to feed them is not also organic.

traditionalbritishfowlco · Joined: 25 Jan 2006 Posts: 243 Location: lancashire

good points. Oh its all so complex. Rolling Eyes

fenwoman · Posted: Sat Mar 11, 2006 3:53 pm Post subject:

not really complex. You cannot even by law call your eggs 'free range' unless you are a commercial free range unit . When I sold eggs for eating, I had a sign outside saying "Freshly laid eggs from happy, naturally fed chickens who roam freely".
It just about covers it without falling foul of trades descriptions laws and the like.
My customers weren't all that bothered about my organic status. They wanted freshly laid eggs from happy hens.

summayah · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton

That's very true fenwoman.

traditionalbritishfowlco · Joined: 25 Jan 2006 Posts: 243 Location: lancashire

Yeah, I understand why there's rules as to who can call what organic but it sometimes seems very finicky and pedantic. Whats good about the word organic is that it's just one word that describes what conditions the hens are kept in, it fits on a label and is quick to read!

summayah · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton

...but not all organically reared chickens are kept in the best of conditions. Someone on here told me, when I'd asked what was best organic or free range, that just recently seen a programme on tv where the 'organic' chickens were in very poor conditions.

fenwoman · Posted: Sat Mar 11, 2006 4:38 pm Post subject:

mojo · Posted: Sat Mar 11, 2006 4:43 pm Post subject:

organic doesnt mean GOOD for the birds only that no chemicals etc have been allowed to be consumed by the birds........i suggest you just printa label that says.."The very best Eggs my HAPPY HENS produce"..........mojo

traditionalbritishfowlco · Joined: 25 Jan 2006 Posts: 243 Location: lancashire

well I take organic as meaning much more than just chemical free. a battery hen minus chemicals isn't organic - organic is as natural a life as possible. to me anyway. plus, everyone says 'happy hens' its a cliche and i can't guarantee my hens are 'happy', they seem it, but i wouldnt want to speak on their behalf.

mojo · Posted: Sat Mar 11, 2006 5:19 pm Post subject:

if you cant say they are happy how can you say that organic is what they want........oh dear its so confusing.......how about..............Fresh Eggs laid by my chickens HERE