Raising pigs and chickens for meat is all about choices, and one of the biggest decisions is what to feed them. Feed impacts their health, the quality of the meat, and even your farm’s bottom line. Three options dominate the conversation: organic, conventional, and non-GMO. Each has its approach, benefits, and trade-offs. So, how do they stack up for pigs and chickens? Let’s break it down and see what sets organic feed apart—and whether it’s worth the hype. We are trying to present this with an unbiased approach, but at the bottom of this post, we will tell you why we chose Organic and the difference in cost. If you are a farmer who wants to avoid all the chemical and synthetic pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, and GMOs, then here are a couple of places where you can buy certified organic feed. If you are in Kentucky, Contact Kentucky Organic Farm and Feed. For other locations, I would suggest New Country Organics
The Basics: What Are These Feeds?
Conventional Feed: The standard choice for most farms, typically a mix of corn, soy, and grains, often supplemented with vitamins, minerals, and sometimes antibiotics or growth promoters. It’s designed for efficiency—fast growth at a low cost. Most conventional feed uses genetically modified organisms (GMOs) unless labeled otherwise.
Non-GMO Feed: A step up for some, this feed skips genetically modified ingredients but isn’t necessarily organic. It might still include synthetic pesticides, herbicides, or additives, just with non-GMO corn, soy, or other grains as the base. It’s a middle ground for those wary of GMOs but not fully committed to organic.
Organic Feed: The strictest standard, organic feed uses only ingredients grown without synthetic pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, or GMOs. It bans antibiotics and synthetic growth enhancers, often relying on diverse, natural sources like organic grains, legumes, and forage. It’s certified by organizations like the USDA to meet rigorous rules.
Now, let’s dive into how these feeds compare for pigs and chickens—and what it means for your operation.
1 Health Benefits for Animals
Conventional: Gets the job done—pigs and chickens grow fast thanks to optimized protein and calorie content. However, the use of antibiotics (to prevent disease in cramped conditions) and synthetic additives can disrupt gut health over time. Some argue it leads to weaker immune systems, though it’s tailored for rapid weight gain.
Non-GMO: Similar to conventional in terms of growth, but avoiding GMOs might reduce potential (though debated) risks tied to genetic modification, like altered nutrient uptake. It’s still processed with synthetic chemicals, so digestive or long-term health benefits over conventional ones are minimal unless paired with better farming practices.
Organic: Shines here. Organic feed’s natural ingredients—like organic oats, peas, or alfalfa—are gentler on digestion and support a robust gut microbiome. No antibiotics mean animals rely on stronger natural immunity, which can lower disease rates when paired with good husbandry (like more space or pasture access). Studies suggest organic-fed animals have lower stress markers and better overall vitality.
2 Meat Quality and Nutrition
Conventional: Produces consistent, affordable meat with a standard flavor profile. However, it’s often higher in omega-6 fatty acids (from corn and soy) and may carry traces of antibiotics or pesticides, though within regulated limits. Nutrient density can lag if the diet lacks variety.
Non-GMO: A slight edge over conventional—meat might have fewer GMO-related concerns (a consumer perception win), but the nutritional profile is similar unless the feed swaps in diverse ingredients. It’s not a game-changer unless you’re marketing to GMO-wary buyers.
Organic: Stands out with meat often richer in omega-3s, vitamins (like E), and antioxidants, especially if animals forage or eat diverse organic feeds. Research shows organic pork and chicken can have better fat profiles and flavor complexity—think richer, earthier notes. No synthetic residues also appeal to health-conscious eaters.
3 Animal Welfare
Conventional: Efficiency-focused, often paired with confined systems where welfare can take a backseat. Feed additives compensate for stress or crowding, but pigs and chickens may not thrive behaviorally—less rooting or pecking time. However, this is not necessarily the case with most small farmers and homesteaders, at least on the confinement side. Many farmers market their pigs and chickens as pasture-raised, and though this is true, the animals still have a better quality of life. Unfortunately, virtually all of them feed the same conventional feed as the large producers using large houses for the hogs or chickens.
Non-GMO: No inherent welfare boost unless you tweak the system (e.g., more space). It’s about the feed’s ingredients, not the lifestyle, so outcomes depend on your setup.
Organic: Often tied to higher welfare standards—like outdoor access or lower stocking densities—since organic certification requires humane treatment. Pigs root in pastures, and chickens scratch for bugs, aligning with instincts. Healthier, happier animals are a byproduct of the organic ethos.
4 Cost and Accessibility
Conventional: The budget champ. It’s widely available, subsidized by industrial agriculture, and keeps costs low—ideal for large-scale production. Pigs and chickens hit market weight fast, maximizing profit.
Non-GMO: Pricier than conventional (10-30% more, depending on sourcing), as non-GMO grains cost more to grow and certify. The availability is decent but lags conventionally, requiring some planning.
Organic: The premium option—often 50-100% more expensive than conventional due to organic farming’s labor-intensive nature and certification fees. Supply can be spotty, especially for diverse ingredients, so you’ll need reliable suppliers or local sourcing. Growth might slow slightly without synthetic boosters, raising time-to-market costs.
5 Environmental Impact
Conventional: Heavy footprint—relies on mono-crops (corn, soy) grown with synthetic inputs, contributing to soil depletion and runoff. Antibiotic use also raises resistance concerns.
Non-GMO: Slightly better, skipping GMOs, but still leans on chemical-intensive farming unless paired with sustainable practices. It’s a half-step toward eco-friendliness.
Organic: Wins for sustainability. Organic farming boosts soil health, cuts chemical runoff, and supports biodiversity with varied crops. Pasture-based organic systems can even sequester carbon. It’s gentler on the planet, though higher land use can be a trade-off.
6 Market Appeal
Conventional: Appeals to price-driven buyers—think bulk supermarkets. There is no special labeling, so it’s harder to stand out.
Non-GMO: Targets the “GMO-free” crowd, a growing niche. It’s a marketable upgrade without the full organic price tag, perfect for mid-tier branding.
Organic: The gold standard for premium markets—restaurants, health food stores, and eco-conscious consumers love it. Certification adds trust, but you’ll need to justify the higher price with quality and storytelling.
Which Should You Choose?
It depends on your goals. Conventional is king for cost and scale—perfect if you’re feeding a big operation on a tight budget. Non-GMO offers a compromise: a cleaner label without breaking the bank, ideal for dipping into specialty markets. Organic is the best choice for small farms or artisanal producers aiming for top-tier health, taste, and sustainability, with buyers willing to pay more.
Pigs and chickens can thrive on any of these, but organic feed edges out with superior health, welfare, and meat quality—assuming you can manage the cost. Test a batch: try organic for a small group and compare growth, flavor, and customer feedback. The results might surprise you.
This information is written so that the farmer can consider their choices, but now, let's break down the consumer side of the equation. Most consumers go to a farmer's market and buy from their local farmer, assuming they all adhere to the same standards. Most farmers will advertise things like Pastured poultry or Pasture-raised pigs. This would lead one to believe that the chickens or the pigs graze and forage for most of their feed. This is not the case, as neither of these are herbivores. In other words, they do not have multiple stomachs and do not graze like a cow, goat, or sheep. Chickens will peck for bugs and worms; the pigs will root for grubs, nuts, and berries. They will both eat a little grass, but it is not where they get most of their diet. So the question to ask your local farmer is, what kind of grain do you feed them? Does it contain Corn or Soy? Do you feed them organic or non-GMO feed? Read more about the effects of Corn on livestock here.
In some areas, the farmer can buy non-GMO food for about the same price as standard feed as long as it contains corn and soy. The cost always increases if you get away from these two feed ingredients to a more natural mixture of grains like Wheat, Barley, Peas, Alfalfa, and sunflower meal. So, does the consumer pay more? Our pricing model is very nominal. For instance, we sell boneless chicken breast for about 12.50 per pound; another farmer's pasture-raised but not organic may charge 10 to 11 per pound.
Let's break down the cost of just the feed, as processing is generally the same price for all farmers. The larger poultry producers mostly sell to the large trade names, and we will assume a better feed cost and lower processing, but in this example, we will only look at the feed. You can see why Grocery stores and the local pasture-raised bird are substantially different costs.
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First Feed conversion ratioThe FCR is the amount of feed given to a chicken divided by the weight of the cleaned carcass. Standard broiler chickens raised in an enclosed house have an FCR between 1.4 and 1.9, while pastured chickens may have an FCR of 2.8 to 3.2.
Style of Production FCR Cost of feed Cost per pound Conventional Poultry House 1.5 0.18 0.27 Pastured Conventional Feed 3.2 0.22 0.704 Pastured Organic Feed 3.2 0.48 1.536
You can see in this chart the cost is double for the Pasture poultry versus conventional, yet again double for organic versus Pasture raised but fed conventional feed. Our retail price maybe 12 to 20% higher than other pasture-raised farmers, yet our feed cost is double. We could go through this same example with Pork or Bacon, and you would see the same results. Often at the farmer's market or even online, our prices align with other regenerative or pasture-raised operations that still feed most of them conventional corn and soy feed. This is not always the case. Many pasture or regenerative operations claim to be beyond organic, so your question to them is, do you feed your chickens and pigs organic, corn, or soy-free feed? I know a couple that do, but they are the exception. Just like Organic meat products are rare, so are regenerative or natural farmers who still understand the benefits of organic corn and soy-free feed.