The July 27, 2012 voluntary recall of certain lots of Purina brand chicken feeds is an important reminder that we need to know precisely what feed we are giving our chickens at all times. The recall was due the omission of Vitamin D in certain lots of Purina poultry feed.  Most of us bring home bags of feed, empty them out into storage containers and throw away the ingredient tag, but that is a mistake. The feed bag tag contains valuable information about the production date, facility and batch. When opening a new bag of chicken feed, save the tag that is sewn into the seam and toss it on top of the feed bin.

Who was affected by the July 2012 recall?

Probably not you if your chickens live outdoors. Vitamin D is required for the absorption of calcium. Chickens naturally synthesize Vitamin D when exposed to sunlight and thirty minutes per day is adequate to satisfy their nutritional needs. Most backyard chickens are kept in the yard or run and have plenty of opportunity to soak in the sun each day, therefore the absence of Vitamin D in the feed is of no concern. However, chickens not exposed to sunlight regularly must receive supplemental Vitamin D, which makes this omission of concern for their health.  A lack of Vitamin D over a period of weeks can cause soft beaks, claws, weak eggshells, leg problems, impaired hatchability of fertile eggs and slow growth in younger chickens. If chicks are being brooded in the basement or room without access to sunlight, this recall CAN affect their health. No need to throw away the feed, however, simply put them outside for a half an hour of daily playtime in the sun.

 Most of us bring home bags of feed, empty them out into storage containers and throw away the ingredient tag, but that is a mistake. The feed bag tag contains valuable information about the production date, facility and batch. When opening a new bag of chicken feed, save the tag that is sewn into the seam and toss it on top of the feed bin.

This lump of feed was found inside my feed bag recently. Since I had the bag tag in the feed bin, contacting the company to apprise them of this quality control problem will allow them to follow up on it. I did not use the remaining feed in case it was moldy and the company sent me a coupon for a replacement bag.

 Most of us bring home bags of feed, empty them out into storage containers and throw away the ingredient tag, but that is a mistake. The feed bag tag contains valuable information about the production date, facility and batch. When opening a new bag of chicken feed, save the tag that is sewn into the seam and toss it on top of the feed bin.

PREPARE FOR CHICKEN FEED RECALLS

Most of us bring home bags of feed, empty them out into storage containers and throw away the ingredient tag, but that is a mistake. The feed bag tag contains valuable information about the production date, facility and batch. When opening a new bag of chicken feed, save the tag that is sewn into the seam and toss it on top of the feed bin.  While the July 2012 recall did not affect most backyard chickens, at some point a more serious recall might and being able to determine whether the feed in our pets’ dishes is safe to eat could be critical.(As a side note, feedbags have many terrific uses, don’t toss them out, repurpose them!)

 Most of us bring home bags of feed, empty them out into storage containers and throw away the ingredient tag, but that is a mistake. The feed bag tag contains valuable information about the production date, facility and batch. When opening a new bag of chicken feed, save the tag that is sewn into the seam and toss it on top of the feed bin.

Each bag of chicken feed has a tag sewn to it that lists the type of feed, nutrition information and the lot code for that particular feed. The lot code allows the feed to be tracked back to the manufacturer when problems arise. If your feed bag also has a date code stamped on the bottom of the sewn edge of the bag, save that too.

 Each bag of chicken feed has a tag sewn to it that lists the type of feed, nutrition information and the lot code for that particular feed. The lot code allows the feed to be tracked back to the manufacturer when problems arise. If your feed bag also has a date code stamped on the bottom of the sewn edge of the bag, save that too.

When I started hatching chicks, I got in the habit of tossing the tag on the top of the feed in its storage bin so I could distinguish medicated chick starter from starter/grower crumbles, which looked identical to me. When I got wind of the first chicken feed recall, I realized that keeping the lot tags with the feed was an important safety measure I hadn’t even considered and have done it with all feed, grain, scratch, sunflower seeds, etc. ever since.

Each bag of chicken feed has a tag sewn to it that lists the type of feed, nutrition information and the lot code for that particular feed. The lot code allows the feed to be tracked back to the manufacturer when problems arise. If your feed bag also has a date code stamped on the bottom of the sewn edge of the bag, save that too.

I recommend cutting the tags off and tossing them on the top of the feed in its storage bin. When the bin is empty remove the old feed bag tags, refill the bin and toss in the new tags. This simple step ensures that we always know precisely what we are feeding our chickens and can help us safeguard them in the event of a critical recall.

 

Kathy Shea Mormino

Affectionately known internationally as The Chicken Chick®, Kathy Shea Mormino shares a fun-loving, informative style to raising backyard chickens. …Read on

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The July 27, 2012 voluntary recall of certain lots of Purina brand chicken feeds is an important reminder that we need to know precisely what feed we are giving our chickens at all times. The recall was due the omission of Vitamin D in certain lots of Purina poultry feed.  Most of us bring home bags of feed, empty them out into storage containers and throw away the ingredient tag, but that is a mistake. The feed bag tag contains valuable information about the production date, facility and batch. When opening a new bag of chicken feed, save the tag that is sewn into the seam and toss it on top of the feed bin.

Who was affected by the July 2012 recall?

Probably not you if your chickens live outdoors. Vitamin D is required for the absorption of calcium. Chickens naturally synthesize Vitamin D when exposed to sunlight and thirty minutes per day is adequate to satisfy their nutritional needs. Most backyard chickens are kept in the yard or run and have plenty of opportunity to soak in the sun each day, therefore the absence of Vitamin D in the feed is of no concern. However, chickens not exposed to sunlight regularly must receive supplemental Vitamin D, which makes this omission of concern for their health.  A lack of Vitamin D over a period of weeks can cause soft beaks, claws, weak eggshells, leg problems, impaired hatchability of fertile eggs and slow growth in younger chickens. If chicks are being brooded in the basement or room without access to sunlight, this recall CAN affect their health. No need to throw away the feed, however, simply put them outside for a half an hour of daily playtime in the sun.

 Most of us bring home bags of feed, empty them out into storage containers and throw away the ingredient tag, but that is a mistake. The feed bag tag contains valuable information about the production date, facility and batch. When opening a new bag of chicken feed, save the tag that is sewn into the seam and toss it on top of the feed bin.

This lump of feed was found inside my feed bag recently. Since I had the bag tag in the feed bin, contacting the company to apprise them of this quality control problem will allow them to follow up on it. I did not use the remaining feed in case it was moldy and the company sent me a coupon for a replacement bag.

 Most of us bring home bags of feed, empty them out into storage containers and throw away the ingredient tag, but that is a mistake. The feed bag tag contains valuable information about the production date, facility and batch. When opening a new bag of chicken feed, save the tag that is sewn into the seam and toss it on top of the feed bin.

PREPARE FOR CHICKEN FEED RECALLS

Most of us bring home bags of feed, empty them out into storage containers and throw away the ingredient tag, but that is a mistake. The feed bag tag contains valuable information about the production date, facility and batch. When opening a new bag of chicken feed, save the tag that is sewn into the seam and toss it on top of the feed bin.  While the July 2012 recall did not affect most backyard chickens, at some point a more serious recall might and being able to determine whether the feed in our pets’ dishes is safe to eat could be critical.(As a side note, feedbags have many terrific uses, don’t toss them out, repurpose them!)

 Most of us bring home bags of feed, empty them out into storage containers and throw away the ingredient tag, but that is a mistake. The feed bag tag contains valuable information about the production date, facility and batch. When opening a new bag of chicken feed, save the tag that is sewn into the seam and toss it on top of the feed bin.

Each bag of chicken feed has a tag sewn to it that lists the type of feed, nutrition information and the lot code for that particular feed. The lot code allows the feed to be tracked back to the manufacturer when problems arise. If your feed bag also has a date code stamped on the bottom of the sewn edge of the bag, save that too.

 Each bag of chicken feed has a tag sewn to it that lists the type of feed, nutrition information and the lot code for that particular feed. The lot code allows the feed to be tracked back to the manufacturer when problems arise. If your feed bag also has a date code stamped on the bottom of the sewn edge of the bag, save that too.

When I started hatching chicks, I got in the habit of tossing the tag on the top of the feed in its storage bin so I could distinguish medicated chick starter from starter/grower crumbles, which looked identical to me. When I got wind of the first chicken feed recall, I realized that keeping the lot tags with the feed was an important safety measure I hadn’t even considered and have done it with all feed, grain, scratch, sunflower seeds, etc. ever since.

Each bag of chicken feed has a tag sewn to it that lists the type of feed, nutrition information and the lot code for that particular feed. The lot code allows the feed to be tracked back to the manufacturer when problems arise. If your feed bag also has a date code stamped on the bottom of the sewn edge of the bag, save that too.

I recommend cutting the tags off and tossing them on the top of the feed in its storage bin. When the bin is empty remove the old feed bag tags, refill the bin and toss in the new tags. This simple step ensures that we always know precisely what we are feeding our chickens and can help us safeguard them in the event of a critical recall.

 

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Sandy
12 years ago

Thanks! This is what I have, but my chickens free range from sun up to sun down. I have a steel drum with a lid and just set the open bags down inside with the lable attatched. Great post: )

Sammie
12 years ago

Thanks! I never thought to save the tags before! (I do re-purpose the bags though!)

Maryann
12 years ago

Thank you for such a logical 'save the tag' suggestion. Love your blog!

Janet
Janet
12 years ago

Thank you for an informative approach to the recall. To me , the recall says that the company (Purina) is doing the right thing. I hesitate the further condemnation of a reputable business due to an error and a resulting recall. Purina Mills is a responsible company that does its research. I feed it to all my animals and I care very much about their health .

Christi Chapman
Reply to  Janet
12 years ago

I agree- Purina, and other companies who issue voluntary recalls are doing the right thing for consumers. I also commend you Kathy for your thoughtful and informative postings. I had not seen your blog and page prior to this- but love it and plan to visit often!

Alex Turpen
12 years ago

Very informative! My chickens def get 30 mins or more sunlight each day. Your posts are always so helpful. Thanks for being you :)

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