Just a few thoughts on animal feed. Some time ago I did a bit of research and what I discovered is that almost all feeds (with very few exceptions) are made in China or India and then distributed to the USA under different brand names for purchase.
Since so many of these feeds are manufactured in the same place one has to wonder just what gets put into specific brands. One way to discover what's really in feeds is to have them tested occasionally at reputable labs. I use Michigan State University labs to test formulas for infant animals and animal feeds to determine if what's being listed as ingredients and if the fat and protein percentages listed are correct. There are also tests to discover if there are things that don't belong in the feed such as the melamine fiasco which was in almost all food brands for cats and dogs due to feeds being made by the same manufacturer.
Not to mention what occurred in Michigan with the poisoning of cattle and other livestock feeds with a fire retardant. There was a mix up at the feed store and the fire retardant got mixed in where the feed was stored. The bags were poorly labeled and some of the loaders were illiterate and weren't able to read what was listed on the bags and unknowingly, distributed fire retardant as feed.
With regard to mold issues, that also is most likely due to the storing of feed at distributors. Being a wildlife rehabilitator, I can tell you that recently there was a huge recall on PetAg powered formulas for infant animals. It was discovered that the problem occurred from storage and not the manufacturing. Large batches of formula were left to sit in cargo trucks in the sun causing it to become rancid thereby changing the ingredients and the reliability of the product. It had nothing to do with the manufacturing or the brand name of the product.
That said, I think we need to be aware of problems with feeds and report issues asap but not necessarily write the distributor or brand name off as unsuitable. These things happen in all areas of mass food production including what is consumed by humans. Let's not forget all the recalls we have had, and continue to have, on the food we as humans consume.
Sue
WLR
CHICKENS-101@yahoogroups.com
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