Starting Your Backyard Flock: Best Value Organic Feed Options for Chickens

Harvesting fresh eggs for breakfast is just one of the most exciting things about having a backyard flock. However, before you get to those rewards, you’ll need to consider something very important — what to feed your birds. Organic chicken feed is the gold standard, but new keepers can feel overwhelmed by questions around cost and quality. The good news is that feeding your flock well doesn’t have to mean overspending or overthinking every ingredient.

The Best Organic Feed for Backyard Chickens

When you give your feathered friends the right nourishment, they return the favor. Healthier birds, stronger shells and better eggs all start with what goes into the feeder. Here’s the best backyard chicken feed on the market.

1. Nature’s Best Organic Feeds

Nature’s Best Organic Feeds is one of the best organic feeds for backyard chickens. It strikes a lovely balance between quality nutrition and everyday affordability. Each formula delivers complete, well-rounded nourishment composed of protein, amino acids, vitamins and minerals. These contain no added hormones, antibiotics and animal by-products — so your hens enjoy wholesome nutrition the way nature intended.

Start your birds on the 20% protein Chick Starter, then transition to calcium-rich Organic Egg Layer pellets or crumbles once they begin laying. There’s also the probiotic-infused Meat Bird Pellets to make your broilers poultry-ready. Add seed, grain and berry treats to keep them clucking with delight. Find Nature’s Best Organic Feeds at retailers like Tractor Supply or shop online. Options for purchase include five-pound bags or 40-pound sacks. Select feeds are also available in 10-pound sizes.

Key Features

• Certified USDA Organic
• Non-GMO Project Verified
• Feed options for all stages
• Best value organic chicken feed

2. Scratch and Peck Feeds

Scratch and Peck Feeds is a North American-grown and made brand that’s another recommendable choice. It comes in mash, crumble and pellet forms that you can feed dry, moistened and fermented — giving even your pickiest eaters plenty of options.

For a high-protein diet, the 18% Organic Layer Mash is available in a 40-pound sack. There’s also a 16% alternative, and if you want to try a smaller pouch first, a 10-pound bag. Supplement your hens’ diet with Layer Grit and Oyster Shell for stronger eggs. For those raising meat, there’s a Broiler Mash option for a 40-pound bag.

The best thing about Scratch and Peck Feeds is the autoship option, which saves you 5% and delivers right to your doorstep. Find the products online or through major retailers like Chewy, Amazon and Target.

Key Features

• Certified USDA Organic
• Non-GMO Project Verified
• Mash, crumble and pellet options
• Convenient automatic delivery

3. New Country Organics

Your chickens will certainly be spoiled for choice at New Country Organics. For keepers, the wide range of options can send you down a rabbit hole over which one to get.

For starters, the classic line offers complete nutrition with cracked and milled grains at 17% protein. This includes chicken pellets and broiler pellets. The corn-free Pastured Perfect line is a more affordable option for hens at and is formulated with added calcium to support strong eggshells.

You can purchase directly from the website or order through retailers like Amazon, Chewy, Walmart and eBay. Local pickup is also available in Virginia, Texas and Nevada.

Key Features

• 100% organic, non-GMO feed
• Freshly-milled grain
• Sourced from North America
• Local pickup available

4. Mile Four

Mile Four is a Minnesota-based company that produces U.S.-grown chicken feed on family farms across the country. Its formulas are corn-free, soy-free and preservative-free, designed to support healthy backyard flocks and better-tasting eggs.

Mile Four offers simple feeding kits based on flock size. Its 21% protein Chick Feed mash starts at a 2-pound bag for testing it out before purchasing larger quantities. Meanwhile, larger sizes are available up to 46 pounds. The Grower Feed is good for 8 to 20-week-old birds. It has 18% protein plus added vitamins and minerals, available in mash, pellet and whole-grain options. Laying hens can gradually transition to the calcium-rich layer version.

The best thing about Mile Four is the risk-free trial. If your chickens don’t love their first bag, it’s on them. Plus, there’s a subscription-based delivery option that lets you save 5% on every order.

Key Features

• Certified USDA Organic
• Non-GMO Project Verified
• Feeding kits available
• Risk-free trial

How to Stretch Your Feed Budget

Feeding your flock well doesn’t have to put pressure on your budget. Here’s how you can make the most of each spend:

• Match feed to life stage: Your birds need different levels of nutrients as they grow. Higher-protein formulas aren’t necessary year-round and can increase costs if overused.
• Buy larger bags: Bigger bags are often more cost-effective and reduce the price per pound.
• Use subscription options: Many brands offer small discounts for scheduled deliveries, which add up over time.
• Supplement wisely: Chicken feed doesn’t always have to be store-bought. You can add vegetable and fruit scraps from your kitchen to stretch your bag.
• Allow supervised free-ranging: Your birds can eat a varied diet of earthworms, beetles, caterpillars, along with dandelion greens and various wild seeds. Allowing them to forage reduces reliance on feeds and supports their natural behaviors.
• Shop close to the source: Buying directly from organic feed brands, local mills and farm supply stores can mean fresher provisions at better prices.

Start Raising Chickens on a Realistic Budget

Growing chickens can come with high up-front costs for coops and supplies, but nourishing them with the best organic feed doesn’t have to break the bank. Choosing the right chow for each life stage is usually enough to keep your flock healthy. Soon enough, they’ll be making fresh eggs and homegrown meat for you to enjoy.