If you're keeping a backyard flock in Middle Tennessee, you already know how hard it can be to find good Non-GMO feed locally. Most farm co-ops and big-box stores carry conventional feed — which is fine, but it's mostly GMO commodity corn and soy, variable formulas, and byproducts.
At BooneTop Farms & Feed in Centerville, we stock four brands specifically chosen for Non-GMO quality. Here's a breakdown of what we carry, what it's best for, and how to pick the right feed for your flock's stage.
What Makes a Feed “Non-GMO”?
Non-GMO Project Verified means the feed was produced without genetically modified ingredients and verified by a third-party audit — not self-certified by the brand. The main GMO crops in conventional feed are corn (90%+ of U.S. corn is GMO) and soybeans (94%+ of U.S. soybeans are GMO). Non-GMO versions of both exist, but they require separate handling and cost more to source.
For backyard flock keepers, Non-GMO feed matters for a few reasons: ingredient transparency, fixed formulas (the bag you buy this month has the same ingredients as the one last month), and for many people, knowing what their eggs and meat are made of.
Layer Hens: The Most Common Backyard Chicken
Laying hens need 15–18% protein and 3.5–4.5% calcium after they start producing (around 18 weeks). Here's what we stock that works well:
- Hillsboro 16% Layer Pellets — Our most accessible Non-GMO layer option. Solid nutrition, Non-GMO Project Verified, good calcium levels for shells.
- Hillsboro 18% Layer Pelleted — Higher protein, good for high-producing breeds like ISA Browns or production Reds.
- Hillsboro 16% No Corn No Soy Layer — Peanut-based formula for keepers who want to eliminate both corn and soy entirely. Popular with people whose hens or family members have soy sensitivities.
- KOFFI Soy Free Layer 16% — USDA Certified Organic. If you sell eggs at a farmers market and want to market them as “fed organic feed,” this is your option. Comes in 50 lb bags.
- Kalmbach Henhouse Reserve Love Bug™ — Soy-free, with a scratch-like texture layer hens love. Contains YolkProud® blend that many keepers report noticeably deepens yolk color. 17% protein, insect-based.
Our recommendation for most first-time Non-GMO switchers: Hillsboro 16% Layer Pellets — familiar format, good price point, and a clean Non-GMO label.
Chicks (0–8 Weeks): Starter Feed
Baby chicks need 18–22% protein for the first 8 weeks. The critical mistake to avoid: feeding layer pellets to chicks. The high calcium stresses kidneys in young birds. Use a starter/grower crumble until 18 weeks.
- Hillsboro 22% Crumbled Starter/Grower — Our go-to. Non-GMO, complete nutrition from hatch to layer transition. Available in regular, soy-free, and soy & corn free versions.
- Hillsboro 22% Soy & Corn Free Crumbled Starter — Peanut-based, eliminates both. Best for elimination-diet flocks or keepers who want maximum ingredient control.
Meat Birds and Broilers
Broilers (Cornish Cross and similar) need 20–22% protein from hatch to harvest — a single high-protein formula simplifies feeding.
- Kalmbach 22% Start-To-Finish Meatbird Feed — Designed for a single-feed broiler program. Non-GMO, includes LifeGuard® probiotic blend. Feed free-choice from day one.
- KOFFI Soy Free Broiler — USDA Certified Organic, soy-free. Best for certified organic meat bird production.
Ducks and Turkeys
Waterfowl and turkeys need higher protein in early weeks (26–28%) than chickens. Don't start them on a standard chicken starter — turkey poults in particular are more protein-sensitive in the first weeks.
- Hillsboro 28% Turkey, Quail & Duck Feed — Non-GMO, covers ducks, turkeys, quail, and can be used for high-protein broiler starts.
- Hillsboro 25% Soy & Corn Free Quail, Turkey & Duck Feed — Peanut-based, eliminates both corn and soy. Rare formula that almost no conventional brands offer.
Scratch Grains: Supplement, Not a Main Feed
Scratch grains should be a treat, not a primary feed source — they dilute the protein and vitamin content of your layer ration. That said, a small amount in the evening generates digestive heat overnight in cold weather.
- Kalmbach Non-GMO Soy Free Five Grain Scratch — Clean Non-GMO scratch without the soy found in most conventional scratch blends.
- KOFFI Chicken Scratch — USDA Certified Organic scratch grains.
Transitioning to Non-GMO: The Short Version
Don't switch cold turkey. A 7–10 day blend-in prevents digestive upset and temporary dips in production:
- Days 1–3: 75% old feed / 25% new
- Days 4–6: 50/50
- Days 7–9: 25% old / 75% new
- Day 10+: 100% new feed
Expect a brief production dip that resolves within 2–3 weeks. Yolk color improvement (especially on soy-free feeds) typically shows up in 3–6 weeks.
For a detailed guide with all life stages, see our Chicken Feeding Guide.
Stop In or Text Us
BooneTop Farms & Feed is at 1460 Highway 100 West, Centerville, TN 37033. We're open Mon/Thu/Fri 10am–6pm and Sat 10am–3pm. Text 931-217-5556 before you drive out to confirm what's in stock — inventory moves fast on some of the specialty formulas.