Homemade Chicken Feed Recipe (Soy-Free, Non-GMO)

Published January 29, 2014 • Updated March 2026

If you’ve ever looked at a bag of chicken feed and wondered what you’re actually feeding your flock, you’re not alone. Many homesteaders are moving toward a homemade chicken feed recipe to avoid soy, control ingredients, and cut costs. This is the exact mix we use on our own farm, and why it works.

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What Is the Best Homemade Chicken Feed Recipe?

When it comes to feeding my animals, I’ll be honest, I like to know exactly what’s going into it. Especially when it comes to the food we raise and rely on every day.

That’s what led me to start mixing my own chicken feed. Finding a truly soy-free, non-GMO option isn’t as simple as it sounds. Even many organic feeds still rely heavily on soy byproducts.

This homemade chicken feed recipe is one we’ve used right here on our farm. It’s practical, flexible, and built for real-life feeding—not perfection.

Homemade Chicken Feed Recipe (Soy-Free & Non-GMO)

This is the base mix we use for our chickens and turkeys. It’s simple, flexible, and designed to support healthy, productive birds without relying on soy or unnecessary fillers.

Ingredients (Makes ~100+ lbs)

Based on the ingredients and protein percentages, this feed mix comes out to roughly 17.5–18% protein. That has worked well for our free-ranging heritage chickens and turkeys for years.

• This mix makes a little over 100 pounds of feed.
• We feed both chickens and turkeys the same blend since they are heritage breeds with similar protein needs.
• Because our birds free-range heavily, this feed is only part of their overall diet.
• In winter, we may slightly increase corn for additional energy.
• Our birds free-range daily, so this feed is only part of their overall diet.
• We skip barley and peas because our chickens won’t eat them.
• Raw milk or whey is great source of protein and calcium if there any extra to share.

How to Adjust Homemade Chicken Feed for Your Climate & Flock

When you’re mixing your own chicken feed, there’s no one-size-fits-all formula. What works on one farm may need adjusting on another.

Here in the Pacific Northwest, where winter temperatures can drop into the single digits—and sometimes below zero—I increase the amount of corn during colder months. Those extra carbohydrates help provide energy and support body heat when the weather turns harsh.

I also add a small amount of cayenne pepper and diatomaceous earth (DE) to our feed. Cayenne is commonly used to support circulation, especially in winter, and chickens don’t experience “heat” from it the way we do. The diatomaceous earth is often included by homesteaders as part of a natural approach to parasite management.

Over time, I’ve adjusted this recipe based on what my birds will actually eat. My flock refuses barley and peas, so I leave those out entirely. And because they free-range throughout the day, I don’t rely on unnecessary fillers—they’re already supplementing their diet naturally.

This homemade chicken feed recipe is meant to be a starting point. From there, you can adjust based on your climate, your flock, and what works best on your own farm.

Why I Use Whole Grains in Homemade Chicken Feed

Chickens are natural foragers. In a pasture setting, they aren’t seeking out compressed pellets, they’re scratching for seeds, grains, insects, and green forage.

Because of that, many small-scale and pasture-based systems rely on whole grains as a practical and effective feed base, especially when birds have consistent access to forage. Whole grains also encourage natural scratching behavior, which supports activity and gut health.

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Choosing a Protein Source

Protein is one of the most important components of a balanced poultry diet. Most laying hens require roughly 16–18% protein, while growing or mixed flocks may need closer to 18–21%, depending on age and production.

Black oil sunflower seeds (BOSS) are often included in homemade feed mixes because they provide both protein and beneficial fats. The oil content can help support feather condition and provide additional energy, particularly in colder months.

That said, sunflower seeds are typically used as part of a balanced mix, not as a complete protein source on their own.

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What We Feed on Our Farm

This approach allows us to keep feed simple, reduce waste, and maintain a system that is both practical and economical.

On our farm, we currently have 13 chickens and 3 turkeys. All of our birds free-range throughout the day and are locked up at night for protection. Because we raise heritage breeds with similar nutritional needs, we feed both chickens and turkeys the same mix.

With consistent access to pasture, insects, and natural forage, our birds are able to supplement a significant portion of their diet on their own. As a result, we go through only about 4 cups of feed per day, which keeps our feed costs low, typically under $2.00 per day.

Let Them Free Range

Allowing poultry to free range changes how much feed they actually need—and what you need to include in your mix.

If my birds didn’t free range, I would adjust this homemade chicken feed recipe by adding an additional 25 pounds of wheat and 25 pounds of oats. This helps provide extra carbohydrates, protein, and overall bulk. I would also include about 3 cups of powdered milk to support calcium intake.

Because our poultry forage daily, they naturally supplement their diet with grass, seeds, and insects. Turkeys in particular can get up to 30% of their diet from pasture when given the opportunity to roam.

If your turkeys are not on ample grass or forage, you may need to increase their protein intake. One simple option is feeding a few hard-boiled eggs each day to help support growth and overall health.

This is the base recipe we’ve used for years on our farm. With this approach, we’ve consistently raised flavorful 10–12 pound chickens and collected rich, nutrient-dense eggs from our hens.

I prefer to make a large batches of up to 200 pounds at a time, that way I don’t run out during the winter and I’m not forced to buy commercial feed.

After I have a batch mixed up, I put it into 5 gallon buckets because it is easy for me to tote from the barn, up to the chicken coop while there is slippery cold snow on the ground.

When the weather is hot out, there is no need for the corn.  Chickens, like cows, heat their bodies from the inside out.

Is Homemade Chicken Feed Cheaper?

Homemade chicken feed can be cheaper, but it depends on your ingredients, your location, and how you source your grains.

If you’re buying everything in small quantities from a feed store, the cost can be similar or even slightly higher than commercial feed. However, if you’re able to buy in bulk, source locally, or grow some of your own grains, homemade feed often becomes more cost-effective over time.

For us, the biggest benefit isn’t just cost, it’s control. We know exactly what our chickens are eating, and we can adjust the mix based on the season, egg production, and overall flock health.

Is Homemade Chicken Feed Balanced?

A homemade chicken feed recipe can be well-balanced when you include a variety of grains, protein sources, and minerals. However, every flock is different, so it’s important to observe egg production, feather condition, and overall health—and adjust as needed.

If my Poultry did not free range I would add in another 25 pounds of wheat and 25 pounds of oats to give them extra filler, proteins, and carbohydrates. As well as, 3 cups of powdered milk for added calcium. Below is my basic recipe that I’ve been using on my Poultry for years. I have had no problem butchering out a tasty 10-12 pound chicken and getting daily omega rich eggs from my hens.

Also, if allowed to free range and forage, turkeys will get 30% of their diet from grass and bugs.  If your turkeys are not on ample grass, I would add in a few hard boiled eggs each day to increase their protein levels.

According to research from the University of Minnesota Extension, balanced poultry diets should include a mix of grains, protein sources, and minerals to support overall health and egg production.

What Our Homemade Chicken Feed Mix Looks Like

Mixing and Storing Homemade Chicken Feed

I prefer to mix large batches, usually up to 200 pounds at a time. This helps ensure I don’t run out during the winter months and avoids having to rely on commercial feed when it’s least convenient.

Once the feed is mixed, I store it in 5-gallon buckets. They’re easy to carry from the barn to the chicken coop, especially when the ground is slick with snow and ice.

Season also plays a role in how I adjust this homemade chicken feed recipe. During colder months, I include corn for added energy, since chickens generate body heat from the inside out—similar to cattle. In the summer, when temperatures are higher, there’s no real need for the extra corn, so I often reduce or remove it from the mix.