Scratch and Peck Feeds Organic Layer Feed

Full review

Scratch and Peck Feeds Organic Layer Feed is a whole-grain poultry feed crafted for backyard chicken keepers who want their hens fed as naturally as possible. Unlike many conventional layer feeds that rely on pelleted or heavily processed grains, this feed keeps everything whole and recognizable, so you can actually see the organic corn, peas, barley, and other grains your chickens are eating. It's certified organic and verified non-GMO, which matters to homesteaders who are trying to avoid synthetic pesticides, herbicides, and genetically modified crops in their flock's diet. The feed is milled in small batches in the Pacific Northwest, and the company has built its reputation on transparency, listing every ingredient clearly rather than hiding behind vague terms like "grain products" or "animal byproducts" that show up on cheaper feed labels.

Nutritionally, this layer feed is balanced to support consistent egg production, with the calcium and protein levels hens need to keep laying strong, thick-shelled eggs throughout the year. Because it's a whole-grain formula rather than a pellet, chickens tend to forage through it the way they would in a natural setting, picking and choosing bites, which many keepers find leads to less waste and happier, more engaged birds. The fermentable fiber from the whole grains also supports gut health, something that's become a bigger focus in backyard flock care as more people move away from feeding practices borrowed from large-scale commercial operations. It's free of soy and corn-heavy fillers in many of their blends, catering to keepers who specifically want to avoid those ingredients for their flock's digestive health or their own ethical reasons around sourcing.

For the homesteader who views their chickens as part of a larger self-sufficient lifestyle, Scratch and Peck's organic layer feed fits into a philosophy of raising animals the way nature intended, even within a backyard setup. It pairs well with free-ranging or pasture access, since the feed is designed to supplement rather than replace natural foraging behavior, giving hens the chance to supplement their diet with bugs, greens, and grit they find on their own. The price point is higher than big-box store feeds, reflecting the cost of organic grain sourcing and small-batch milling, but many keepers consider it worthwhile given the direct connection between feed quality and both egg quality and the overall health of their flock. It's become a staple bag in coops where the owners are just as particular about what goes into their chickens as they are about what goes into their own kitchen.