Organic feed gives you the option of avoiding hormones, steroids, and antibiotics, so you can ensure that your chickens receive the nutrients that they need without unnecessary ingredients.
We put together these reviews to help you decide which organic chicken feed is the best choice for your flock, whether they’re at laying age or newly hatched. To make sure you have plenty of options, we included a variety of feeds, from crumbles and seeds to grain blends and pellets.
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2023
Image Product Details
Best Overall
Kalmbach Organic Layer Chicken Feed
USDA certified
Specialized layer feed
17% protein
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Best Value
Modesto Milling Organic Layer Crumbles
Formulated for layers
No corn or soy
Non-GMO
Check Price
Premium Choice
Eggland’s Best Starter-Grower Crumbles
19% protein
Pasteurized
100% vegetarian
Check Price
Scratch and Peck Organic Grower
Formulated for chicks, ducklings, and goslings
No corn or soy
Contains omega-3
Check Price
FLYGRUBS BSF Larvae Chicken Feed
Black soldier fly larvae
85 times more calcium than mealworms
Oven-dried
Check Price
The 10 Best Organic Chicken Feeds
The Kalmbach Feeds Organic Harvest 17% Protein Layer Chicken Feed is our best overall organic chicken feed in 2021. USDA certified, the formula is 17% protein and contains both vitamin D and omega-3. Both these nutrients serve to help your chickens lay high-quality and nutritional eggs. This option by Kalmbach is designed specifically for hens to support their egg-laying, whether they’ve been laying for months or have only just started.
Weight: 25-pound bags
Type: Layer
Special Diet: Organic, high protein
Food Form: Crumble
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Although only available in 25-pound bags, this crumble feed is a careful blend of prebiotics, probiotics, and enzymes to support your chickens’ immune and digestive health.
Kalmbach is a crumble-style feed and as a result, can be incredibly dusty.
Pros
USDA certified
Specialized layer feed
17% protein
Contains vitamin D
Omega-3
Supports your chickens’ immune system and digestion
Cons
Dusty
Sold in either 25 or 50-pound bags, the Modesto Milling Organic Layer Crumbles Poultry Feed is the best organic chicken feed for the money. As a feed option designed for egg layers — for both chickens and ducks — Modesto Milling is filled with 17% protein but doesn’t contain corn, soy, or GMOs, to provide a balanced diet for your flock.
USDA certified
Specialized layer feed
17% protein
Contains vitamin D
Omega-3
Supports your chickens’ immune system and digestion
- USDA certified
- Specialized layer feed
- 17% protein
- Contains vitamin D
- Omega-3
- Supports your chickens’ immune system and digestion
Dusty
- Dusty
Weight: 25- or 50-pound bags
Type: Layer
Special Diet: Organic, non-GMO, high protein
Food Form: Crumble
Along with being suitable for both chickens and ducks, the formula supports a healthy diet for free-range and coop-raised birds. Your rooster, if you have one, can benefit from the high-protein content too.
Similar to other chicken feeds designed to be crumbles rather than pellets, seeds, or grains, Modesto Milling can be incredibly dusty.
Pros
25- or 50-pound bags
17% protein
Formulated for layers
No corn or soy
Non-GMO
Suitable for both free-range and coop-raised birds
Can be fed to ducks
Cons
Dusty
For farmers looking to expand their flock, having a chick-friendly chicken feed option is essential. The Eggland’s Best 19% Protein Organic Starter-Grower Crumbles is 100% vegetarian and pasteurized to ensure that your chicks grow as healthy and strong as possible. The formula also doesn’t contain hormones, steroids, or antibiotics.
25- or 50-pound bags
17% protein
Formulated for layers
No corn or soy
Non-GMO
Suitable for both free-range and coop-raised birds
Can be fed to ducks
- 25- or 50-pound bags
- 17% protein
- Formulated for layers
- No corn or soy
- Non-GMO
- Suitable for both free-range and coop-raised birds
- Can be fed to ducks
Weight: 5- or 32-pound bags
Type: Starter/grower
Special Diet: Organic, high protein
Food Form: Crumble
Included alongside the 19% protein content are vitamins B5 and A to help protect your chicks from illness by fortifying their immune system and supporting their overall health and growth.
Although Eggland’s Best is available in two sizes to suit different flock sizes, the product is expensive compared to other brands of the same size.
Pros
5- or 32-pound bags
19% protein
Pasteurized
No hormones, steroids, or antibiotics
Contains vitamins B5 and A
100% vegetarian
Cons
Expensive
The Scratch and Peck Feeds Organic Grower Poultry Feed is designed for chicks, ducklings, and goslings between 2 and 5 months. Full of minerals, vitamins, and omega-3 oils, the formula supports the growth of your new flock members. The whole grain feed also lasts longer than pellets or crumbles.
5- or 32-pound bags
19% protein
Pasteurized
No hormones, steroids, or antibiotics
Contains vitamins B5 and A
100% vegetarian
- 5- or 32-pound bags
- 19% protein
- Pasteurized
- No hormones, steroids, or antibiotics
- Contains vitamins B5 and A
- 100% vegetarian
Expensive
- Expensive
Weight: 25- or 40-pound bags
Type: Grower
Special Diet: Organic, non-GMO, high protein
Food Form: Crumble
Certified by the USDA, Scratch and Peck doesn’t use GMO ingredients, corn, or soy products. It’s sold in two sizes of bags to support various flock sizes.
As a grower feed, Scratch and Peck is formulated specifically for growing chicks and doesn’t contain the nutrients and minerals needed for hatchlings or adult birds. The larger bags are also expensive.
Pros
Formulated for chicks, ducklings, and goslings
25- or 40-pound bags
Non-GMO
USDA certified
No corn or soy
Contains omega-3
Whole grains are longer lasting than crumbles or pellets
Cons
Expensive
For birds between 2 and 5 months old
Contained in 5-, 10-, or 20-pound boxes, the FLYGRUBS Black Soldier Fly Larvae Chicken Feed is oven-dried and sold in a resealable bag to retain freshness. The recipe only uses the dried larvae of black soldier flies and doesn’t use GMOs, wheat, corn, soy, or grain.
Formulated for chicks, ducklings, and goslings
25- or 40-pound bags
Non-GMO
USDA certified
No corn or soy
Contains omega-3
Whole grains are longer lasting than crumbles or pellets
- Formulated for chicks, ducklings, and goslings
- 25- or 40-pound bags
- Non-GMO
- USDA certified
- No corn or soy
- Contains omega-3
- Whole grains are longer lasting than crumbles or pellets
Expensive
For birds between 2 and 5 months old
- Expensive
- For birds between 2 and 5 months old
Weight: 5-, 10-, or 20-pound boxes
Type: Treat
Special Diet: Organic, non-GMO, high protein, grain-free, no corn, no soy, no wheat
Food Form: Mealworms
Unlike mealworms, these flies contain 85 times more calcium and help promote stronger eggshells for your egg layers. Due to the simplicity of the ingredients, this option is also environmentally friendly.
While the dried larvae are packed with nutrients and vitamins, they aren’t intended to be used as a meal on their own. It’s recommended to combine these treats with your existing chicken feed for a balanced diet. Some chickens also prefer live prey rather than dried larvae and may refuse to eat these treats.
Pros
Black soldier fly larvae
Oven-dried
No corn, wheat, or soy
85 times more calcium than mealworms
Resealable bag
Promotes stronger eggshells
Grain-free
Environmentally friendly
Cons
Designed to be used in addition to other chicken feed
Some chickens prefer live mealworms
Packed with completely natural, organic ingredients, the Scratch and Peck Feeds Organic Layer 16% Poultry Feed is formulated specifically for hens that are already laying eggs or about to start. Using whole grains, the recipe is high in protein — containing 16% — and the added calcium content keeps their eggs strong and rich in flavor.
Black soldier fly larvae
Oven-dried
No corn, wheat, or soy
85 times more calcium than mealworms
Resealable bag
Promotes stronger eggshells
Grain-free
Environmentally friendly
- Black soldier fly larvae
- Oven-dried
- No corn, wheat, or soy
- 85 times more calcium than mealworms
- Resealable bag
- Promotes stronger eggshells
- Grain-free
- Environmentally friendly
Designed to be used in addition to other chicken feed
Some chickens prefer live mealworms
- Designed to be used in addition to other chicken feed
- Some chickens prefer live mealworms
Weight: 25- or 40-pound bags
Type: Layer
Special Diet: Organic, non-GMO, high protein
Food Form: Seed and grain blend
For a healthy diet for your chickens, ducks, geese, and other waterfowl, there are no soy or corn products included in this option. It’s sold in two sizes of bags to suit any sized flock.
Some users noticed that their chickens stopped laying as often when they were eating this food, and some hens became moody.
Pros
25- or 40-pound bags
Specialized layer feed
16% protein
No soy or corn
Whole grain
Suitable for ducks, geese, and waterfowl
Cons
Some chickens stopped laying while using this feed
Hens could become moody
Kalmbach Feeds Organic 20% Starter Grower Poultry Feed is USDA certified and formulated specifically for helping hatchlings during the first 6 weeks of their development.
25- or 40-pound bags
Specialized layer feed
16% protein
No soy or corn
Whole grain
Suitable for ducks, geese, and waterfowl
- 25- or 40-pound bags
- Specialized layer feed
- 16% protein
- No soy or corn
- Whole grain
- Suitable for ducks, geese, and waterfowl
Some chickens stopped laying while using this feed
Hens could become moody
- Some chickens stopped laying while using this feed
- Hens could become moody
Weight: 35-pound bags
Type: Starter/grower
Special Diet: Organic, non-GMO, high protein
Food Form: Crumble
Used for chicks, ducklings, and goslings, the recipe is filled with amino acids, vitamins, and minerals to promote healthy muscle development, along with supporting their digestive and immune health. With 20% protein packed into the ingredients, your new flock members will grow to be healthy and strong.
The crumble form of this food often breaks into smaller pieces during shipping and makes this chick feed incredibly dusty. It also doesn’t contain the necessary nutrients for adult birds and should only be used for hatchlings and growing birds until they reach maturity at about 16 weeks old.
Pros
USDA certified
20% protein
Formulated for growing birds
Suitable for chicks, ducklings, and goslings
Supports digestive and immune health
Amino acids promote muscle development
Contains vitamins and minerals
Cons
Dusty
Unsuitable for adult birds
- Eggland’s Best 17% Protein Layer Mini-Pellets Chicken Feed
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Weight: 40-pound bags
Type: Layer
Special Diet: High protein, vegetarian
Food Form: Pellets
Farmers who want to keep their chickens off meat-laced foods will benefit from the Eggland’s Best 17% Protein Layer Mini-Pellets Chicken Feed vegetarian formula. Not only is it designed with egg layers in mind, but it’s also pasteurized to keep bad bacteria away from your flock and contains 25% less saturated fat than some other brands.
USDA certified
20% protein
Formulated for growing birds
Suitable for chicks, ducklings, and goslings
Supports digestive and immune health
Amino acids promote muscle development
Contains vitamins and minerals
- USDA certified
- 20% protein
- Formulated for growing birds
- Suitable for chicks, ducklings, and goslings
- Supports digestive and immune health
- Amino acids promote muscle development
- Contains vitamins and minerals
Dusty
Unsuitable for adult birds
- Dusty
- Unsuitable for adult birds
Check Latest Price
Weight: 40-pound bags
Type: Layer
Special Diet: High protein, vegetarian
Food Form: Pellets
For a healthy, balanced diet, Eggland’s Best doesn’t use hormones, steroids, or antibiotics and pairs omega-3 oils with 17% protein to keep your chickens in top shape.
Unlike some other feed options, Eggland’s Best is specifically created with chickens in mind and might not be suitable for ducks, geese, quail, or other birds that you have on your farm. It’s also in the form of mini-pellets, and some chickens can be fussy about the texture.
Pros
Vegetarian formula
17% protein
25% less saturated fat
Omega-3
No hormones, steroids, or antibiotics
Formulated for egg-layers
Pasteurized
Cons
Intended for chickens only
Some chickens don’t like the texture
- Scratch and Peck Feeds Organic Starter Chicken & Duck Feed
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Weight: 25- or 40-pound bags
Type: Starter
Special Diet: Organic, non-GMO, high protein
Food Form: Seed and grain blend
For flocks with a mixture of chickens and ducks, the Scratch and Peck Feeds Organic Starter Chicken & Duck Feed keeps newly hatched birds healthy and kick-starts their growth. The formula contains omega-3 oils, amino acids, and probiotics to ensure that your new chicks and ducklings get a headstart to developing healthy and strong immune systems.
Vegetarian formula
17% protein
25% less saturated fat
Omega-3
No hormones, steroids, or antibiotics
Formulated for egg-layers
Pasteurized
- Vegetarian formula
- 17% protein
- 25% less saturated fat
- Omega-3
- No hormones, steroids, or antibiotics
- Formulated for egg-layers
- Pasteurized
Intended for chickens only
Some chickens don’t like the texture
- Intended for chickens only
- Some chickens don’t like the texture
Weight: 25- or 40-pound bags
Type: Starter
Special Diet: Organic, non-GMO, high protein
Food Form: Seed and grain blend
Scratch and Peck is an Animal Welfare Approved company that takes pride in using nutrient-rich ingredients that don’t contain corn, soy, or GMOs.
Compared to some other feed options, both bag sizes are expensive and incredibly dusty. The formula is also only suitable for newly hatched birds, as growing chicks require growers’ feed, so it shouldn’t be fed to adult chickens and ducks.
Pros
Omega fatty acids
Amino acids
Probiotics
No corn or soy
Non-GMO
Animal Welfare Approved
Nutrient-rich ingredients
Suitable for ducklings
Cons
Expensive
Unsuitable for growing or adult chickens
Dusty
- Mile Four 16% Organic Layer Chicken & Duck Feed
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Weight: 23-pound bags
Type: Layer
Special Diet: Organic, non-GMO
Food Form: Grain
With 16% protein and no corn, soy, or GMOs included in the recipe, the Mile Four 16% Organic Layer Chicken & Duck Feed promotes strong bones and healthy egg production from your layers. Certified organic by the USDA, Mile Four is formulated for chickens and ducks. Along with supporting the health of their insides, it also keeps their feathers looking glossy.
Omega fatty acids
Amino acids
Probiotics
No corn or soy
Non-GMO
Animal Welfare Approved
Nutrient-rich ingredients
Suitable for ducklings
- Omega fatty acids
- Amino acids
- Probiotics
- No corn or soy
- Non-GMO
- Animal Welfare Approved
- Nutrient-rich ingredients
- Suitable for ducklings
Expensive
Unsuitable for growing or adult chickens
Dusty
- Expensive
- Unsuitable for growing or adult chickens
- Dusty
Weight: 23-pound bags
Type: Layer
Special Diet: Organic, non-GMO
Food Form: Grain
Although the bags are smaller than many other options available, the grains can be fermented to produce a longer-lasting feed.
Some users have complained about the picture of the product not matching what they received. Only sold in 23-pound bags, it’s also an expensive choice and some birds dislike the texture.
Pros
Promotes healthy eggs
No corn or soy
16% protein
Supports strong bones
USDA certified
No GMOs
Grains can be fermented to last longer
Cons
Expensive
Some users feel that the picture is misleading
Some birds don’t like the texture
Promotes healthy eggs
No corn or soy
16% protein
Supports strong bones
USDA certified
No GMOs
Grains can be fermented to last longer
- Promotes healthy eggs
- No corn or soy
- 16% protein
- Supports strong bones
- USDA certified
- No GMOs
- Grains can be fermented to last longer
Expensive
Some users feel that the picture is misleading
Some birds don’t like the texture
- Expensive
- Some users feel that the picture is misleading
- Some birds don’t like the texture
Whether you’re a new chicken owner or have been looking after a flock for years, changing your chicken’s feed always comes with questions. We answered commonly asked queries to help you decide which chicken feed is the best choice for your farm.
Why Choose Organic Chicken Feed?
No matter what purpose you raise your chickens for — meat or eggs — if you want to sell their produce as organic, you need to carefully consider the food that they eat. Most normal feeds contain GMOs, hormones, steroids, and antibiotics designed to boost your chickens’ growth. For a healthy, completely organic flock, it’s important that you monitor the ingredients in the feed that you choose.
Organic chicken feed uses natural ingredients. While they’ll be more expensive, organic brands have the benefit of supporting your chicken’s health and egg-laying.
Which Chicken Feed Do I Choose?
A common question when looking at food for all animals is how to choose the right one. For chickens, the choice can seem impossible, given how many feeds out there seem like they all do the same thing. Hopefully, this section will help you out.
Purpose
Even if your chickens are pets, you probably still take advantage of their egg-laying capabilities. Some breeds are specifically meat birds, however, so the food that they require differs. Meat birds are bred to grow quickly, and while they eat the same food as layers when they are chicks, they grow out of it faster.
It’s important to consider why you’re raising your chickens and their breed if you want to keep them as healthy as possible.
Starter, Grower, Layer, or Finisher
Regardless of your preferred brand of feed, you’ll find that it comes in three main types. These types tell you what age of chicken it’s suitable for.
Starter feed should only be fed to hatchlings for the first 6 weeks of their development. It’s designed to be easy for them to eat and gives them that first, essential boost to start growing as healthy as possible.
Grower feed is similar to the starter type, but it’s formulated for growing chicks between 6 and20 weeks. It’s frequently combined with starter feed, which has the benefits of both and enables you to use the same feed until your chicks reach 20 weeks old.
Layer feed is intended for adult chickens. While roosters can eat it too, it’s formulated primarily for hens as the egg layers. It contains protein, calcium, and omega oils to ensure that your chicken’s eggs have strong shells and vibrant yellow yolks and are packed with nutritional value.
Finisher feed is formulated for broiler chickens or meat birds. It’s the food that you give them for the last few weeks before slaughter.
Processed or Raw
Deciding on the form that your chicken food takes comes down to personal preference. You can choose whole or crushed grain, mash, pellets, crumbles, or a pellet and grain blend. While your chickens will probably prefer the feed that they’re most familiar with, if you’re a new owner, the difference comes down to how processed you want the feed to be.
Whole and crushed grains, along with mash, require little in the way of processing. Whole grains, of course, take the least, while mash requires more. If you want your chicken feed to be as pure and organic as possible, whole or crushed grains are the winners.
Pellets and crumbles require more processing before they’re bagged and sold. While they are still organic, you’ll probably find that they’re more expensive due to the production process. They’re also more likely to have had a larger impact on the environment during their time at the factory.
If you can’t decide, a mid-range solution is a blend of micro pellets and grains. You have the benefit of the whole or crushed grains without the processing and the convenience of processed pellets.
Final Thoughts
Kalmbach Feeds Organic Harvest 17% Protein Layer Chicken Feed is the best overall organic chicken feed. Designed for adult chickens, the formula supports the development of healthy eggs. A budget-friendly option is the Modesto Milling Organic Layer Crumbles Poultry Feed, which supports both chickens and ducks, whether free-range or coop-raised.
If your chickens prefer pellets, crumbles, or grain mixes, these reviews will help you find the best organic chicken feed for your flock.
See also:
- How Long Can a Chicken Survive Without Its Head?
- 9 Natural Ways to Get Rid of Chicken Mites & Lice
- 8 Best Chicken Feeders to Prevent Waste – Reviews & Top Picks
Featured Image Credit: Alan Goodwin Photo, Shutterstock
