Best Organic Chicken Feed

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Organic chicken feed is made from ingredients grown and handled under the USDA organic rules. This guide explains what the organic label requires, what a layer feed should contain, and compares five feeds and treats for backyard flocks by protein, size and certification.

Key Specs Compared

Numbers match the reviews below (tap to jump).

Key specs of the 5 products reviewed below

#	Form	Size	Stated certifications
1	Dried mealworm treat	5 Pound	–Not stated
2	Non-GMO cracked-grain layer feed	40 Pound	Non-GMO
3	Certified organic layer feed	50 Pound	Certified organic, Non-GMO
4	Certified organic layer mash	40 Pound	USDA Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified
5	Certified organic layer pellets	40 Pound	USDA Organic, Non-GMO

– = not stated on the Amazon listing · Specs and certifications as stated by the listing, not tested or verified by us; check the listing before you buy

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Ingredients of Chicken Layer Feed

• Grains – Corn, wheat, oats and barley make up most of a layer feed and supply energy. Corn-free formulas use other grains.
• Oyster Shell and Minerals – Layer feeds add calcium for eggshells, and oyster shell can also be offered free choice.^[3]
• Flax and Linseed Oil – Some feeds add flax seed or linseed oil as a source of omega-3 fats.
• Probiotics, Kelp and Herbs – Several feeds in this guide add probiotics, kelp, oregano or paprika to the grain base.

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What Organic Chicken Feed Means

• Certification – Organic products are overseen by a USDA-authorized certifying agent and made without excluded methods such as genetic engineering.^[1] The USDA does not approve individual feeds.
• Organic Ration – An organic livestock operation must feed a total ration of organically produced and handled agricultural products. Only allowed supplements and additives may be added.^[2]
• Prohibited Feed Items – Organic rules bar plastic pellets as roughage, formulas containing urea or manure, and poultry slaughter by-products fed to poultry.^[2]
• Growth Promoters – Animal drugs, including hormones, may not be used to promote growth in an organic operation.^[2]

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Buying Considerations for Organic Chicken Feed

• Soy – Organic feed can contain soy, because organic soybeans are grown without genetic engineering.^[1] Soy-free feeds exist if you prefer to avoid it, and the picks below include three.
• Protein – A layer ration should be 16 to 18 percent protein.^[3] The layer feeds below range from 16 to 17.5 percent.
• Complete Feed or Treat – A complete layer feed is the main diet, while treats such as mealworms are extras.^[3]
• Calcium – Layer feed already carries calcium. Offer grit and oyster shell free choice in a separate feeder, and keep layer feed away from chicks.^[3][4]
• Storage and Bag Size – Choose a bag you will use up before it goes stale, and keep it in a sealed container that rodents cannot open.

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What the Research Says

Organic feed is overseen by a USDA-authorized certifying agent and is made without genetic engineering.^[1] The organic livestock rules require a total feed ration of organic ingredients and limit what can be added.^[2] Extension guidance recommends a 16 to 18 percent protein layer ration, plus grit and oyster shell offered free choice, for hens over 18 weeks of age.^[3]

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How We Chose These Products

We do not test products. We compare product details: the organic or non-GMO certification, protein level, size, whether the product is a complete feed or a treat, and the ingredient list.^[1] Brands don’t pay to be included, though we may earn a commission from purchases.

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Our Organic Chicken Feed Picks

These five products include three certified organic layer feeds, one non-GMO layer feed that is not organic, and one mealworm treat that is not organic. With every purchase through the links on this page, we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.

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1

• TradeKing Dried Mealworms are a 5 lb bag of dried mealworms sold as a treat for chickens, wild birds, reptiles and fish.
• They are a treat, not a complete feed, and they are not organic.
• Common uses are taming poultry, attracting wild birds or adding a treat to a pet’s diet.
• The stand-up resealable bag needs no refrigeration.
• The bag measures 13.75 x 5.25 x 16.25 inches and weighs 5 pounds.

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2

• Wholesome Harvest Non-GMO Whole Grain Layer Blend 16% is a 40 lb feed for laying hens and ducks.
• The blend is cracked non-GMO grains with essential oils, herbs and probiotics, at 16% protein.
• The product details give a non-GMO claim but no organic certification.
• Oyster shell and minerals add calcium for eggshells, and linseed (flax) oil adds omega-3.
• Offer it in a feeder or scatter it on the ground.
• It has no artificial additives, and Ernst Grain & Livestock makes it.
• The bag measures 23 x 6 x 16 inches and weighs 40 pounds.

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3

• New Country Organics Corn-Free Classic Layer Feed is a 50 lb bag, certified organic and non-GMO.
• It is corn-free and soy-free, with a guaranteed minimum of 17% protein.
• Because the mill uses the same equipment for other feeds, the finished product is not guaranteed to be 100% free of corn.
• The formula is high in protein and low in starch, with probiotics and kelp added.
• It is a complete diet for laying hens, made with North American certified organic grains.
• The same brand sells grit, grubs and oyster shell to go with it.

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4

• Scratch and Peck Layer Mash is a 40 lb bag of whole grain layer mash for chickens and ducks.
• The mash has 16% protein and is corn-free and soy-free.
• It is USDA Organic and Non-GMO Project certified.^[1]
• It is made for hybrid and heritage breeds, and the whole grains are visible in the mash.
• The grains are grown and milled in North America.
• The bag measures 29 x 15.5 x 4 inches and weighs 40 pounds.

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5

• Pink Rose Organix Layer Pellet Feed is a 40 lb bag of USDA Certified Organic, non-GMO pellets.
• The pellets have 17.5% protein, 3.8% fat and 5% fiber.
• The recipe is soy-free and corn-free, with paprika for yolk color, oregano and oyster shell.
• It is fortified with methionine, natural lysine, vitamins and minerals.
• The bag measures 26 x 15 x 4 inches and weighs 40 pounds.

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Index Table: Chicken Feed Compared

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Sources

1. USDA Agricultural Marketing Service. Organic Labeling Standards. Accessed October 25, 2026.
2. Electronic Code of Federal Regulations, 7 CFR 205.237. Livestock feed. Accessed October 25, 2026.
3. Penn State Extension. Management Requirements for Laying Flocks. Accessed October 25, 2026.
4. eXtension Small and Backyard Poultry. Feeding Chickens for Egg Production in Small and Backyard Flocks. Accessed October 25, 2026.

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Update History

• Oct 2026: Rewrote the guide text and product notes, corrected the soy and GMO statements, added layer-feed guidance from extension sources, set the Key Specs to type and bag size, and replaced the sources (USDA AMS, 7 CFR 205.237, Penn State Extension, eXtension)
• Dec 2020: Added Wholesome Harvest Whole Grain Layer Feed and New Country Organics Corn-Free Layer Feed
• Sep 2020: First published

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