Laying eggs is hard work.
For our hens, recovery requires rest, sunshine, and proper nutrition. And while they get plenty of the latter from foraging grass and insects, these pasture snacks alone don’t quite cut it. Supplementing their diet with an essential feed consisting of corn, soybean meal, minerals, paprika, and marigold ensures the girls have both the energy they need to roam and the protein they need to lay eggs.
We know corn and soy can raise some eyebrows. We’ve read the comments — and honestly, we love that people are asking questions. So, let’s talk about it.
SIMPLY PUT, CORN AND SOY ARE NECESSARY FOR LAYING HENS
That’s why we call it essential feed, actually — because it is. Developed by our in-house animal nutritionists, the feed’s ingredients are carefully selected, tested, and refined to meet the needs of each and every flock.
Then there’s the farmers’ needs to consider. The family farmers who work with us actually purchase their own feed, often from local operations in their communities. Some even grow the crops themselves, making their farms even more self-sufficient. So while corn and soy aren’t necessarily the only option, the one-two punch of availability and nutritional density make them a choice that our nutritionists, our farmers, and our hens can all get behind.
“BUT CAN’T YOU JUST USE ANOTHER TYPE OF FEED?”
This is another question we like, because it’s one we’ve asked ourselves, too. While not impossible, sourcing alternatives comes with a host of challenges. Many of the ingredients aren’t widely available — either locally or even in the U.S. — or are too rare or expensive to scale across our 600+ small farms.
That doesn’t come from lack of trying. We’ve tested many different protein sources and feed formulations over the years with varying degrees of success. Some didn’t meet nutritional needs. Some weren’t accessible or affordable for our farmers. Others, the girls simply didn’t like.
Pasture-raised or not, feed is a necessary part of responsible egg production. And whether the eggs are sold at farmers markets or supermarkets, that feed will most often contain corn and soy. That doesn’t mean it’s the best — or only — choice for you or your family. We believe in supporting small family farms in your own community, but also know that’s not always an option for everyone. That’s where our eggs come in.
For us, our responsibility is to make sure the feed we use is nutritious for hens, workable for farmers, and realistic for people buying eggs. It’s a tricky balancing act, and one that we’ll never stop refining — or talking about.
