Beyond the Loaf: How Our Organic Feed Grains Keep Backyard Flocks Thriving

You already trust Montana Flour & Grain for the flour behind your favorite loaf. What you may not know is that the same 150+ family farms, the same organic standards, and the same Montana growing conditions go into something else we produce: feed for backyard flocks. If you keep chickens, what goes into that feed bag matters just as much as what goes into your mixing bowl.

Why Backyard Flock Owners Are Rethinking Feed

Backyard chicken keeping has grown steadily across the country, and with it has come a closer look at what actually goes into a typical bag of feed. Many conventional feeds lean heavily on corn and soy as cheap fillers — grains that are almost always genetically modified unless labeled otherwise, and grains that some keepers would rather avoid, whether for their flock’s health, their own peace of mind, or simply wanting more control over what they’re feeding.

At the same time, more keepers are asking the same question we’ve spent decades answering for bakers: where does this actually come from, and who grew it? That question is exactly why we started offering organic feed grain in the first place.

Have a question about switching your flock’s feed? Reach out to our team.

What “Organic” and “No Corn, No Soy” Actually Mean

Terms on a feed bag can be confusing, so let’s break down what they mean in plain language.

Organic certified means the grain was grown without synthetic pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, or genetically modified seed, and the farm follows strict recordkeeping and inspection standards to prove it. It’s the same certification standard we hold our organic flour to.

No corn, no soy means exactly what it sounds like: instead of using corn and soybean meal as the base (the standard formula for most commercial feed), our Organic Layer Mash is built around other grains — wheat, barley, and other small grains sourced from the same growers we work with for our flour and grain products. For keepers managing allergies, avoiding GMOs, or just wanting a different formula, this is the main reason they make the switch.

Layer mash is a finely ground, meal-style feed (as opposed to pellets or crumble) formulated specifically for hens that are actively laying, with calcium and protein levels tuned to support consistent shell quality and production.

Not sure if a no-corn, no-soy formula is right for your flock? Ask us.

Inside Our Organic Layer Mash: What’s In the Bag

Our Organic Layer Mash is formulated for laying hens and sourced from the same network of over 150 family-owned farms across Montana and Canada that supply our flour. It’s milled and mixed with the same attention to consistency that goes into everything we make — no shortcuts, no mystery ingredients, and no corn or soy in the formula.

You can find it, along with the rest of our feed and grain lineup, on our online store:

Shop Organic Layer Mash (No Corn, No Soy)

Want help figuring out how much to order for your flock? Contact us and we’ll walk you through it.

What to Expect When You Switch Your Flock’s Feed

Chickens are creatures of habit, so a feed switch works best when it’s gradual rather than sudden.

1. Start slow. Mix a small amount of the new feed in with the old, increasing the ratio over 7 to 10 days.
2. Watch behavior, not just the feeder. A healthy flock adjusts within a week or two — normal appetite, normal droppings, and steady activity are good signs.
3. Give it time at the nest box. Shell strength and lay consistency can take a few weeks to reflect a feed change, since a hen’s body needs time to adjust.
4. Keep water fresh and available. Feed quality only does so much without consistent access to clean water.

If you’d rather talk it through than read about it, give us a call — or if you’re ever passing through north-central Montana, stop by the mill.

Call Montana Flour & Grain at (406) 622-5436

Get directions to our Fort Benton, MT facility

Questions about the transition timeline for your flock? Let us know.

Whether you’re feeding three backyard hens or a larger flock, the same principle applies that’s guided this company since the start: know where your grain comes from, and don’t settle for less than what the land can actually produce.

Ready to make the switch? Get in touch with our team.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between layer mash, crumble, and pellets?

They’re the same basic feed formula in different textures. Mash is finely ground meal, crumble is mash pressed into loose pieces, and pellets are compressed into a solid shape. Mash tends to reduce picking and waste, though all three work well for most flocks — it largely comes down to preference.

Is your Organic Layer Mash actually non-GMO?

Yes. Organic certification prohibits genetically modified seed, so any grain carrying that certification — including our Layer Mash — is non-GMO by definition.

How much feed does a backyard flock need?

As a general starting point, a healthy adult laying hen eats roughly a quarter-pound of feed per day, though that varies with breed, season, and how much foraging your flock does. Watch the feeder for the first couple of weeks and adjust from there.

Can I mix this with scratch grains or kitchen scraps?

Layer mash should make up the bulk of the diet since it’s formulated to meet a laying hen’s nutritional needs. Scratch grains and treats are fine in moderation but shouldn’t replace more than about 10% of daily intake.

Do you ship the feed, or is it pickup only?

You can order online through our store and have it shipped, or contact us directly if you’d prefer to arrange pickup near Fort Benton.

Feed is easy to overlook until you start asking the same questions you’d ask about your own food — and once you do, the answer tends to matter. Our Organic Layer Mash brings the same family-farm sourcing and organic standards behind our flour to the flock in your backyard, one feed bag at a time.

Please contact Montana Flour & Grain if you have questions. https://montanaflour.com/contact-us/
Fort Benton, Montana — about 40 miles northeast of Great Falls, just off Highway 87