Feeding your chickens the right food can determine how healthy they grow and how often they lay, depending on its quality. Organic options are becoming increasingly available due to their benefits, and finding the ideal retailer for your needs is simple. Discover the best organic feed options for backyard chickens and why they may improve the lives of your flock.
How to Choose the Best Providers
Before determining which retailers are worth the money, it is essential to understand the characteristics of leading organizations. The forerunners in the organic feed industry have standout qualities, making each company have a unique voice and product catalog. However, they all must encompass these vital elements.
Transparent Certification
Organic providers can only claim this status if they have certification from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The feed retailer is responsible for communicating with farmers, verifying their organic status. Then, the seller can promise customers that their catalog is certified. If the business does not source products from third parties and it has its own farming operations, this becomes simpler.
High Nutritional Content
If the feed is not nutritious, it is not worth serving to your chickens, regardless of whether it is organic. The food should have a high protein content, as well as essential nutrients and minerals, such as calcium. They should also be high in amino acids and moisture to keep them hydrated and strong.
Sustainable Reputation
Most organic feed retailers align themselves with the certification because of a commitment to ethical, sustainable farming. Therefore, the company should be known for its commitment to animal welfare and the planet. Companies can advertise this by highlighting additional eco-conscious certifications, clarification of farming practices and sourcing protocols. Testimonials, reviews and client feedback should all corroborate this, eliminating fears of greenwashing.
Ingredient Quality
Macro and micronutrient distribution are essential for supplying adequate nutrition, but only the best ingredients provide the most alongside a good flavor. Part of ingredient quality comes from its source and the farming methods. Fortunately, organic practices eliminate taste-altering influences like pesticides, allowing every ingredient in the feed to flourish.
Supplementation Options
Some chickens need more help accessing essential nutrients. When food is unable to provide every nutritional need, the supplier should also have supplements for any chickens with health conditions or deficiencies. It proves the seller is committed to helping birds of all conditions. A handful of businesses have exhibited these traits.
1. Nature’s Best Organic Feeds
Nature’s Best Organic Feeds provides chicken, goat and pig feed in pellets, crumbles and more without GMOs. It has been perfecting its feeds since 1947, earning rewards and recognition across the industry for the consistency and nutritional value of its products. It is completely transparent about its ingredients and nutritional density for its feed, while providing specialty treats and blends to make your chickens feel extra loved. Everyone from homesteaders to ranchers trusts it with food backed by science and sustainability.
2. Murray McMurray Hatchery
Murray McMurray Hatchery is a family-owned organic feed provider that provides everything you need to raise backyard chickens. It has organic feed with many variations, including non-soy and starter options. It is separated by the type of bird you have, with supplements available if you need them. It has in-depth hatchery experience providing healthy chicks, so it knows exactly what to feed them for the best livelihood.
3. New Country Organics
If you want soy-free, corn-free and organic, then New Country Organics has you covered. It sources the highest-quality regionally sourced ingredients and is known for being a one-stop shop for feed, farming products and bedding. It also has a sizable list of supplements and health products available at its many locations throughout the U.S. With door-to-door delivery, its organic feed is accessible for countless households. Plus, repeat customers earn rewards to make it easy to keep coming back.
4. Kalmbach Feeds
Kalmbach Feeds has been a staple in the northern U.S. for decades. Its staff has deep technical expertise because of its dedicated nutritionists. This staffing enables the company to design custom feed blends and verify the nutritional content of its organic products. If your backyard flock expands into something greater, Kalmbach supports operations of all sizes. It has some of the highest quality standards, and its confidence is reflected in its money-back guarantee. Find Kalmbach Feeds in Kentucky, Michigan, Pennsylvania and more.
5. Mile Four
Mile Four has freshly milled and non-GMO chicken feed with an organic stamp of approval. It is one of the most cost-effective options, which makes it a great choice for backyard chickens. Everything is sourced from a family farm, supporting local experts. It has plenty of helpful educational resources to get you started or more involved in your chickens’ lives. Additionally, its subscription model allows you to set up farm-to-feed delivery with minimal resistance, even if you want to buy in bulk.
Comparing Organic Feed Options for Backyard Chickens
While every company has USDA organic certification and sources in the U.S., sellers offer different products and may have additional quality considerations.
| Company | Welfare Considerations | Product Types |
| Nature’s Best Organic Feeds | Non-GMO | Pellets, crumbles, treats, all-flock, pig and goat |
| Murray McMurray | Hormone- and antibiotic-free | Layer, starter, grower feeds |
| New Country Organics | Non-GMO, soy- and corn-free | Broiler, starter, supplements, custom |
| Kalmbach Feeds | Non-GMO | Custom blends, layer, grower, all-flock |
| Mile Four | Non-GMO | Starter, grower, layer, kits |
Additional features you may want to research in more depth include ingredient traceability, shipping and delivery options, and whether the outlet supplies supplementation and additives.
Why Organic Is Better for Backyard Chickens
If you have been feeding your chickens standard feed for a while, you may need some convincing to transition from their conventional diet. It is not required for you to give your chickens organic feed, but you may find it worth the switch for these benefits.
Reduced Exposure to Contamination
Organic regulations prohibit the use of chemicals, and research shows that this type of food can reduce the presence of contaminants in flocks. It promotes better long-term health, potentially lowering the chance of diseases associated with exposure to conventional farming pollutants and chemicals.
Minimizing Additives in Their Diet
From antibiotics to hormones, there are countless additives that can be incorporated in feed to speed up growth or adjust production. While research on the effects of these additives is contentious and under debate, many farmers want their chickens to grow up without them. It allows them to develop naturally, enabling ranchers to accurately describe their chickens’ lives to customers.
Better Meat and Egg Quality
If you give your chickens organic feed, the eggs could have higher nutritional value. More studies are showing how they improve immune regulation and metabolism, leading to enriched eggs. Depending on what you are raising your chickens for, you may taste the difference.
To set realistic expectations for your flock, it helps to know how many eggs a chicken lays per day under normal conditions.
If your hens are still underperforming after switching to organic feed, there may be other reasons your backyard chickens are not laying eggs worth looking into.
Are There Any Downsides to Organic Feed?
Before investing in organic feed, it is important to know the potential disadvantages. However, the pros typically outweigh the cons:
- Higher costs: Organic feed could cost more because it may require more to produce and certify.
- Normalized growth rates: The lack of additives will cause chickens to grow and produce slower than those that use them.
- Accessibility: It may be more challenging to readily access organic feed, though online retailers make this simpler.
Fortunately, there are cost-effective options, discounts, sales and reward programs available from many retailers to mitigate costs.
FAQ About Organic Chicken Feed and Care
Whether you are just getting started on your backyard chicken journey or are a seasoned professional, you may still have knowledge gaps about organic products and what is best for your birds. These are the internet’s most prominent questions about organic feed, so you can make even more informed decisions.
What is the healthiest thing to feed your chicken?
While there is a baseline for what is considered healthy, every chicken deserves individual attention based on their needs. Generally, high-protein diets with ingredients that support a healthy gut microbiome are the standard.
What food cannot be fed to backyard chickens?
Typically, chickens are agreeable eaters. However, there are several foods you should never include in their diets, even if they are organic. They include:
- Processed foods
- Chocolate
- Eggs
- Onions
- Nightshade leaves
Recommendations differ for baby chicks, as they have varying sensitivities. As they grow, some of their digestive abilities shift.
Many justify organic chicken feed for backyard chickens because it removes harmful pesticides, hormones and other influences that stunt growth or cause illness. For some, the peace of mind that comes from knowing the ingredients are ethically sourced and natural is worth the price tag.
The Perfect Diet for Your Chickens
Your chickens are your pets, and you want to give them the best life possible. This starts with what they eat. It changes how they live and how their eggs turn out if you use them for food or for sale. Purchasing feed from one of these retailers will help you get started on a journey of nutrition and wellness for your flocks.