Are Your Chickens Corn and Soy Free? The Honest Answer from Our Farm
If you’ve ever asked this question—or wondered why it matters—you’re not alone.
It’s one of the most common questions we get from customers, and it’s a good one. Because behind it is something we deeply care about too: how our animals are raised, what they eat, and how that impacts both their wellbeing and the food on your plate.
The honest answer is this:
No, our chickens are not corn- and soy-free.
But the full story—and the why behind it—is what really matters.
First and most importantly: our chickens are raised on pasture
Our chickens live outdoors on pasture where they’re free to scratch, peck, chase bugs, and enjoy fresh air and sunshine. Pasture is essential to their wellbeing. It allows them to express their natural instincts and contributes nutrients to their diet in the form of grasses, seeds, and insects.
This is what “pasture-raised” truly means. But pasture alone isn’t enough.
Chickens cannot survive on grass alone
Unlike cows, which are ruminant animals designed to live entirely on grass, chickens are mono-gastric animals—just like pigs and humans. This means they require a balanced diet that includes concentrated sources of:
- Protein
- Energy
- Essential nutrients
Without grain, chickens cannot grow properly, stay healthy, or produce eggs. Grain isn’t a shortcut or a compromise—it’s a biological necessity.
What we feed:
Certified non-GMO grain, including whole roasted soybeans
Our chickens are fed a certified non-GMO grain ration that includes corn and whole roasted soybeans, along with vitamins and minerals to support their health. But there’s an important distinction here that often gets overlooked: how the soy is processed. Most conventional poultry feed contains soybean meal that has been heavily processed using industrial methods designed to extract protein—often involving chemical solvents.
In contrast, we use whole roasted soybeans.
Roasting is a simple, natural process that preserves the integrity of the entire bean—including its oil, fiber, and protein—without the need for chemical extraction. This results in a more complete, nutritionally balanced feed for the chickens. It’s a small detail that makes a meaningful difference.
What we never use
Just as important as what we do feed is what we don’t.
We never use:
- Antibiotics
- Added hormones or steroids
- GMOs
- Animal by-products
Our focus is always on raising healthy animals in a way that aligns with their biology and supports their wellbeing.
Why this matters
Raising chickens on pasture, feeding them high-quality non-GMO grain, and avoiding shortcuts creates healthier animals—and produces meat and eggs that reflect that care.
It also reflects something bigger: our commitment to transparency. We believe you deserve to know exactly how your food is raised and why. Not the marketing version. The real version.
The bottom line
Our chickens live outdoors on pasture and eat a natural diet that includes both what they forage and certified non-GMO grain, including whole roasted soybeans. This combination supports their health, allows them to live naturally, and results in the kind of food we’re proud to feed our own family—and yours. If you ever have questions, we’re always happy to talk. Because informed customers make a stronger food system for everyone.
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