Over the past few months, I’ve been experimenting with making my own chicken feed using whole grains, intentionally avoiding corn and soy. I wanted to share what’s been working for us in case it’s helpful to others who are curious about DIY feed or looking for alternatives to conventional bagged rations.
This mix is made entirely from whole ingredients — grains, legumes, and seeds — rather than processed pellets or crumbles. One of the things I appreciate most is that every ingredient is recognizable. Nothing is ground down, artificially colored, or heavily processed. If someone wanted to take it a step further, each ingredient can be sourced organically, making it possible to create a fully organic ration if that’s important to you.
Why Corn-Free and Soy-Free?
One of my motivations for avoiding corn and soy is the high glyphosate usage commonly associated with the commercial production of both crops. While sourcing organic versions can help mitigate this, I wanted to explore whether a corn- and soy-free feed could work well without sacrificing flock health or egg production, or incurring the steep cost of organic, corn-free, soy-free commercial feed.
I’m also personally mindful of soy intake in general, particularly when it comes to hormonal balance — something I think about often as a woman and as a mother. While chickens are not humans, I prefer to keep inputs as simple and moderate as possible. This approach feels more intentional and aligned with how I want to steward both our animals and our home.
How It’s Been Going
So far, the results have been very encouraging:
Egg production has been stable and right where I’d expect it to be
Eggshells have been consistently hard and strong
Yolks and whites look healthy and normal
The birds eagerly eat the mix
The feed has stretched longer than expected
Cost & Practical Reality
This approach is not cheaper than the cheapest processed feed available, particularly corn-heavy rations. However, it has been a cost-saving measure compared to higher-quality bagged feeds, especially corn-free or soy-free commercial options.
For me, the value goes beyond cost:
Knowing exactly what my chickens are eating
Reducing reliance on highly processed feeds
Offering a more whole-food, ingredient-based ration
The Recipe (Whole Grain, Corn-Free, Soy-Free)
This is the mix I’ve been using successfully. Percentages make it easy to scale up or down depending on flock size.
30% Wheat
30% Oats (or barley, if preferred)
23% Split peas (or lentils or field peas, if preferred)
12% Black oil sunflower seeds
4% Alfalfa meal or pellets (can do ground or crumbled. We let them forage around and eat the alfalfa on the ground from our livestock)
1% Mineral mix or limestone (I throw in a handful of our goat’s loose minerals -Sweetlix)
Important notes:
Offer free-choice oyster shell for laying hens to support strong eggshells.
This recipe is based off of a flock that free-ranges! It may need to be altered if this is the only food source your chickens are receiving
The logistics:
I use these feed bins for storing my goat & chicken feed in our feed/supply shed
I estimate my percentages of ingredients! I don’t weigh or measure… I just pour and use my judgement. So far, so good!
I use a similar chicken feeder to this one in the chicken run
We put the oyster shells in this hanging feeder inside the chicken run. The chickens can access it at all times
I use a simple 5-gallon bucket (the cheap kind from Tractor Supply or Home depot) to scoop all of my feed into from the large feed bin and then dump the bucket into the feeder in the run. I usually have to fill it about every 5 days for my flock of birds.
I work with my local, private owned, feed store to order the ingredients I need if they don’t already have them. If you’re local to DFW area, D&L in Denton is my go-to!
Final Thoughts
This isn’t the only way to feed chickens, and it may not be the right fit for every setup. But for those who enjoy a more hands-on approach, want to avoid corn and soy, or are looking for a whole-grain alternative, this has been a very workable and satisfying path for us.
I plan to continue feeding this way and adjusting as needed. If you’re curious, have access to whole grains locally, or simply want to try something different on your own homestead, this might be a worthwhile experiment for your flock too.
Don’t hesitate to reach out with questions! I’d love to hear if you’re doing something similar. Happy farming to you!