Feeding Pasture-Raised Birds: Blending Forage with Premium Feed

Pasture-raised birds are living their best lives. Sunshine, fresh air, bugs on demand, and room to roam. But even with all that freedom, feeding pasture-raised birds still takes intention. Forage alone is not enough to meet their daily nutritional needs, especially when egg production, growth, and long-term health are on the line.

The secret is balance. Blending natural forage with a thoughtfully formulated premium feed gives pasture-raised poultry the best of both worlds. Let’s break down how to do it right.

What Makes Feeding Pasture-Raised Birds Different

Pasture-raised poultry spend much of their day grazing on grasses, seeds, insects, and leafy plants. This natural behavior supports gut health, mental stimulation, and overall wellness. It also adds diversity to their diet that confined birds simply do not get.

However, pasture conditions change. Weather, season, soil quality, and stocking density all affect how much nutrition birds can pull from the land. That is why feeding pasture-raised birds always requires a consistent feed base to fill in the gaps.

Forage is a bonus, not a complete diet.

Pasture-Raised Poultry Feed: Why It Still Matters

Even the most lush pasture cannot reliably supply enough protein, calcium, and essential vitamins for poultry. Pasture-raised poultry feed ensures birds receive consistent nutrition regardless of what the field provides that day.

A high-quality feed supports:

• Steady egg production
  
  
• Strong eggshells
  
  
• Muscle development
  
  
• Feather quality
  
  
• Immune resilience
  
  

Premium feed acts as nutritional insurance. It keeps performance stable while allowing birds to express natural grazing behavior.

Forage and Feed Blend: Finding the Sweet Spot

A successful forage and feed blend starts with understanding what forage does best. Pasture provides fiber, micronutrients, antioxidants, and enrichment. Feed provides concentrated energy, protein, minerals, and vitamins.

The goal is not to replace feed with forage but to let them work together. Birds should always have access to a complete feed ration while grazing freely throughout the day.

When forage intake increases, birds may naturally eat slightly less feed. That is normal. What matters is that the feed they do eat is nutrient-dense and balanced.

Building a Natural Chicken Diet

A natural chicken diet mirrors how birds evolved to eat. Pecking, scratching, grazing, and supplementing with grains and proteins. Pasture-raised systems come closest to that ideal when paired with clean, thoughtfully sourced feed.

Look for feed made with:

• Organic or non-GMO grains
  
  
• Plant-based protein sources
  
  
• Natural calcium for shell strength
  
  
• Vitamins and minerals for immune support
  
  
• No unnecessary additives
  
  

This combination supports gut health, calmer behavior, and more vibrant yolks.

Premium Poultry Nutrition for Free-Range Birds

Free-range birds burn more energy than confined flocks. They walk more, forage more, and regulate body temperature outdoors. That means they often require premium poultry nutrition to keep up with their active lifestyle.

Protein levels around 16 to 18 percent are ideal for layers, with balanced amino acids to support muscle maintenance and egg production. Added calcium and vitamin D help offset the higher demands of laying outdoors.

Premium nutrition is not about feeding more. It is about feeding smarter.

Free-Range Bird Feeding Tips

To make the most of free-range bird feeding, keep these best practices in mind:

• Offer feed free-choice so birds can eat as needed
  
  
• Place feeders under cover to keep feed dry and fresh
  
  
• Rotate pasture areas to prevent overgrazing
  
  
• Monitor egg production and shell quality as indicators of diet balance
  
  
• Supplement during winter or drought when forage is limited
  
  

Consistency is key. Birds thrive on routine, even when they roam.

Feather & Tail Feeds: Where Pasture Meets Premium

At Feather & Tail Feeds, we believe pasture-raised birds deserve feed that matches their lifestyle. Our premium poultry blends are designed to complement forage, not compete with it. Clean ingredients, balanced protein, and eco-conscious sourcing make our feeds a perfect partner for pasture-based systems.

We support birds that roam free and farmers who care deeply about sustainability, transparency, and nutrition that actually works.