If you’re a chicken keeper intending to raise a healthier, happier flock, switching to organic chicken feeds could be all it takes to get you there.
Organic feeds for chickens can significantly enhance the quality of life for your feathered friends and are free from steroids, hormones, antibiotics, and other ingredients not needed in your chickens’ diet.
But before making the switch, here’s one thing to have in mind: All organic chicken feeds aren’t exactly the same. Some will work better for your flock than others, so you must ensure that you only work with a reputable brand.
In this blog post, we will examine some of the top brands to consider when shopping for natural chicken feed for your flock.
4 Top Reasons To Choose Organic Chicken Feeds
Straight up, organic food tends to cost more than its inorganic counterpart. So, before you switch to it, know what benefits you should expect, and whether the whole idea is well worth it after all.
Here are some top reasons to choose organic food like we have done:
- Healthy, Happy Birds: Organic chicken feed, unlike the inorganic type, is free from harmful chemicals that could impact your birds’ quality of life, both in the short and long term.
- More Attractive Market Value: Produce from chickens feeding on organic feed is more likely to fetch a better market value as consumers are increasingly seeking organic options.
- Environmentally-Friendly: Organic chicken feeds are chemical-free, making them more sustainable and generally environmentally friendly.
- Healthy Family, Too: Meat and eggs from chickens feeding organic food are tastier and more nutritious, and that means the benefits of switching to organic chicken feeds extend beyond just the flock.
That said, let’s get back to our main question: What are some of the top brands of natural chicken feed that you should consider?
Well, here are my top 5 go to chocies:
1. Kalmbach Feeds
As you search for reputable brands of organic chicken feed on the internet, Kalmbach Feeds is one of the names you’ll come across the most, and for a good reason. For years, the brand has established itself as one of the most trusted names out there by chicken keepers.
Kalmbach offers inorganic chicken feed options, but they still have a variety of organic formulations specially designed to suit the unique chicken’s dietary needs at every stage of their life.
Their 17% Protein Layer Chicken Feed and 20% Organic Chick and Meatbird Starter Grower are especially popular, but there’s heaps of other options. The feeds come in either pellet or crumble form, allowing you to choose what works best for your flock.
2. Scratch and Peck Feeds
For pet chicken keepers who also keep other animals, Scratch and Peck Feeds is a good brand to work with. The brand has a variety of organic feeds, including a carefully formulated mixed flock bundle that caters to all your flock’s needs regardless of age.
Scratch & Peck are also my own personal favourite, when we do make a change to try something else, I always come back to their stuff. It’s really good value and our ladies love it.
They even have grubs containing as high as 40% protein, which is a perfect treat for all chickens. In fact, you can even use the treat for birds, dogs, lizards, turtles, and fish, and it won’t harm them.
But remember, the treat should never make up more than 10% of your bird’s (or any other animal’s) dietary requirements.
Scratch and Peck organic chicken feeds come in various forms: Pellets, mash, crumbles, and mash+corn for various chicken needs.
3. New Country Organics
New Country Organics is a renowned producer of certified organic animal products, including soy-free feeds and minerals, animal health supplies, and bedding products. The manufacturer is also one of the chicken keepers’ favorite names when it comes to organic chicken feeds.
Yes, they are a bit more expensive, but you can see the lengths they go to in making awesome products. As a small business, we try to buy from them when we have a few extra dollars to treat the ladies.
New Country Organics also has multiple chicken feeds that address all the needs of a diversified flock. That means you can count on them regardless of the life stage of your flock. They even have organic options for goats, turkeys, ducks, horses, and other common backyard animals if you’re homesteading with a few other animals.
4. Mile Four
Mile Four organic chicken feeds are NON-GMO and made from 100% US-grown farms. They are free from soy corn, and other low-cost fillers, making them a healthy choice for our feathered friends.
The feeds come in a variety of packs that cater to each chicken’s individual dietary needs. If you have chicks between 0 to 8 weeks, go for their pack of starter feed. It contains 21% protein, perfect for getting their important growth stage right.
The grower pack is designed for pullets between 8 and 20 weeks old and contains 18% protein, while the organic layer feed is specially formulated to maximize the health and egg-laying production for chickens 20+ weeks old.
For each of these varieties, there are several pack sizes, and for each size, you can select whether you want whole grain, pellet, or mash, depending on what your chickens love. If you don’t know what type works best for your flock, you can opt for a sampler pack that brings you a 2-lb pack for each of the types. I think that is a pretty neat way of figuring it out without too much outlay.
5. Manna Pro
The Manna Pro brand brings their organic chicken feeds in two forms: Crumbles and pellets. The feeds are USDA-certified organic, and most chicken keepers find their chickens to love them so much.
However, you may want to work with pellets. Most chicken keepers find the crumbles to be high in dust content. This not only translates to more waste but also makes me wonder if the crumbles pose a respiratory threat to the flock.
So, if possible, consider pellets. They’re usually thinner than most others and are of high nutritional value for deeply-colored yolks and chickens with smooth and shiny feathers.
We often buy the crushed oyster shell and ultimate scratch from Manna Pro too, it’s actually really good value and a nice way to keep things interesting for the ladies.
Conclusion
One of the key reasons we start on this journey is to provide healthier food for our families. To me, a big part of that is feeding our pet chickens as well as we can afford, and organic is our go to. These foods are not only sustainable but also healthier for your feathered companions as compared to the GMO-variants.
Yes, organic feeds are usually more expensive, but the benefits you and your flock reap from them far outweigh the higher tag. Only remember to work with the top brands of organic chicken feeds out there to avoid putting the health of your flock on the line. What do you feed your ladies?
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Frequently Asked Questions About Organic Chicken Feed
Q: Is organic chicken feed really better for my chickens?
A: Absolutely! Organic chicken feed is free from harmful chemicals, pesticides, antibiotics, and GMOs that can be found in conventional feeds. This means your chickens are consuming a more natural and wholesome diet, leading to improved health, stronger immune systems, and I think even better egg quality and taste. It’s like choosing fresh, whole foods for yourself, the benefits are significant.
Q: Organic feed sounds expensive. Is it worth the extra cost?
A: While organic feed may have a higher initial price tag, consider the long-term benefits. Healthier chickens often require fewer vet visits and medications, potentially saving you money in the long run. Plus, many chicken keepers find that the improved egg quality and overall health of their flock make the investment worthwhile. Think of it as investing in your chickens’ well-being and the quality of the food they produce.
Q: Will my chickens even like organic feed?
A: Chickens are naturally drawn to wholesome foods. Most chickens readily accept organic feed, and the transition is usually seamless. If you’re switching from conventional feed, a gradual introduction can help, but generally, chickens adapt quickly and thrive on the natural ingredients.
A good test would be to introduce some other type of treat you give them, such as an organic watermelon, and see if there are any complaints from them!
Q: I'm worried about the nutritional content of organic feed. Will my chickens get everything they need?
A: The best brands (like the ones we have shared today) of organic chicken feed are carefully formulated to provide complete and balanced nutrition for your flock. They contain the essential proteins, vitamins, and minerals your chickens need at each life stage. Think about it, they would not be very successful if they were “only” organic, and not providing pet chickens with the things they need to thrive. People like me (and you too probably) wouldn’t be spending our money with them very long. It’s in the brands best interests to make sure they do it.
Q: I've heard that organic farming isn't always truly "organic." How can I be sure I'm getting genuine organic chicken feed?
A: Look for certifications from recognized organizations like the USDA. These certifications are proof that the feed meets strict organic standards, from the ingredients used to the production process. Choosing certified organic feed gives you peace of mind that you’re providing your flock with truly natural and wholesome nutrition. Buying from larger, reputable brands also gives a bit of extra trust in their claims.
