Backyard Chickens: What to Feed Your Flock — And Why New Country Organics Changes the Game
Backyard chickens are now the third most popular pet in America — right behind dogs and cats. And it's easy to see why. They're entertaining, surprisingly personable, and they reward you with fresh eggs every morning. But like any pet, what you feed them matters enormously. The difference between a bag of generic scratch grain and a certified organic, soy-free feed shows up in your hens' feathers, energy levels, and the richness of those egg yolks.
At Agri Feed Pet Supply, we've always carried supplies for the backyard flock keeper — but we've recently expanded our chicken department significantly at both our Middlebrook Pike and Kingston Pike locations, and we're now an authorized dealer of New Country Organics, one of the most respected names in organic poultry feed.
Why Feed Quality Matters for Your Flock
Most commercial chicken feeds are built around cost, not quality. They're loaded with conventional corn and soy — often from genetically modified sources — and they frequently contain additives your hens don't need. The result is a bird that survives, but doesn't necessarily thrive.
When you switch to a cleaner, more nutrient-dense feed, you tend to notice it quickly: brighter yolks, healthier plumage, more consistent laying, and birds that are simply more active and alert. That's what a quality feed program does.
New Country Organics: Feed You Can Trust
New Country Organics is a certified organic, soy-free feed company that takes their ingredient sourcing seriously. Every bag is made without synthetic pesticides, artificial preservatives, or GMO ingredients. Their poultry line covers every stage of your flock's life.
We carry an extensive selection of New Country Organics products at both Agri Feed locations, including:
- Non-Medicated Starter — Clean, soy-free protein for chicks from day one. No medications, no unnecessary additives.
- Layer Pellets — Balanced nutrition for laying hens, formulated to support consistent egg production and shell quality.
- Scratch Grains — A wholesome scratch blend for supplemental feeding and flock enrichment.
- Thorvin Kelp — A natural mineral supplement derived from Icelandic kelp. Supports feather quality, immune health, and overall vitality.
- Hemp Bedding — Highly absorbent, low-dust, and naturally resistant to bacteria. One of the best bedding options available for backyard coops.
And that's just what we stock on the shelf. New Country Organics has an extensive product line covering every stage of flock care, and we're happy to special order any New Country Organics product for you. If you don't see what you're looking for in store, just ask — we'll get it in for you.
Beyond Feed: Everything Your Flock Needs
A well-run backyard flock needs more than just quality feed. Our chicken department at both locations is stocked with everything you need to keep your hens happy and healthy year-round:
- Feeders & Waterers — From simple gravity feeders to nipple waterers that keep water clean and reduce waste
- Treats & Supplements — Mealworms, scratch blends, calcium supplements, and more to round out your flock's diet
- Bedding Options — Including the New Country Organics hemp bedding alongside other quality options
- Enrichment Items — Because a bored hen is a pecky hen. We carry products that keep your flock engaged and active
- Health Supplies — First aid items, electrolyte supplements, and preventative care products
Starting Right: A Simple Feeding Guide by Life Stage
Chicks (0–8 weeks): Start with a non-medicated starter feed like New Country Organics Starter. High protein (typically 18–20%) supports rapid early growth. Keep water clean and fresh at all times — chicks are surprisingly fragile in their first weeks.
Pullets (8–18 weeks): Transition gradually to a grower or all-flock feed as your birds mature. Avoid layer feed during this stage — the extra calcium can stress developing kidneys before they're ready for it.
Laying Hens (18 weeks+): Switch to a quality layer feed like New Country Organics Layer Pellets. Supplement with calcium (crushed oyster shell or similar) offered free-choice in a separate dish — let them take what they need. Add Thorvin Kelp as a daily mineral supplement for long-term health and feather quality.
Year-Round: Scratch grains are a treat, not a staple — think of them the way you'd think of a snack. Great for enrichment, flock bonding, and keeping birds occupied, but they shouldn't make up more than 10% of the diet.
A Note on Soy-Free Feeding
One of the things that sets New Country Organics apart is their commitment to soy-free formulations. Conventional chicken feed relies heavily on soybean meal as a protein source — but soy contains phytoestrogens and anti-nutrients that some flock keepers prefer to avoid entirely. If you've ever cracked open an egg and noticed a pale, watery yolk, poor-quality conventional feed is often part of the reason. Soy-free, organic feed tends to produce deeper-colored, more nutrient-dense eggs.
Come See Us
Whether you're brand new to backyard chickens or a seasoned flock keeper looking to upgrade your feed program, our team is happy to help. We carry New Country Organics at both locations and can walk you through the right feed for your birds' age and needs.
Stop in at Middlebrook Pike or Kingston Pike — or give us a call and we'll help you figure out exactly what your flock needs.
Middlebrook Pike: (865) 584-3959
Kingston Pike: (865) 691-7787