What hens eat directly shapes egg quality. Unlike commercial operations using cheaper feed with routine antibiotics, our feed program begins with NPOP-certified organic grain sourcing, proceeds through lab verification for residues and mycotoxins, and continues with documented chain-of-custody from feed supplier to feeding trough. This page covers feed operations in detail.
A laying hen consumes approximately 120-140 grams of feed daily. Over her productive lifespan (approximately 72-80 weeks from point-of-lay), she'll consume 60-70 kilograms of feed. Every nutrient, every residue, every contaminant in that feed eventually appears in measurable form in her eggs.
Conventional commercial feed contains: non-organic grains grown with synthetic fertilizers + pesticides, routine antibiotic supplementation (for 'growth promotion' and disease prevention), synthetic yolk colorants, feed additives not permitted in organic production. Each of these creates measurable differences in resulting eggs — not always visible but detectable in laboratory analysis.
Our NPOP-certified organic feed program eliminates these inputs. This costs approximately 40-60% more than conventional feed depending on grain markets — the primary cost driver of organic egg pricing premium versus commercial eggs.
Our standard layer feed composition (approximate percentages; actual formulation developed with our veterinary nutritionist and adjusted seasonally):
We don't buy feed grains on the open market. Our suppliers are pre-qualified through a verification process that includes:
Organic certification verification: Supplier must hold valid NPOP (or equivalent) organic certification from APEDA-accredited certification body. We verify certificate authenticity directly with the certification body, not just accept supplier documentation at face value.
Supply history review: Track record of consistent organic supply. New suppliers provide trial batches for quality assessment before contracted supply.
Chain of custody documentation: Supplier must be able to trace grain back to specific farm(s) of origin. We prefer suppliers with shorter chains (fewer intermediaries between farmer and us).
Pricing transparency: Multi-supplier quotation process. We don't automatically choose lowest — balance quality track record, certification rigor, logistics reliability, pricing.
Every feed batch undergoes testing before use. Standard test panel:
Improper storage can compromise even properly-sourced feed. Our storage practices:
Dedicated feed storage facility: Dry, well-ventilated, pest-protected structure. Temperature-monitored to prevent mold-favorable conditions.
Batch segregation: Different feed batches stored separately with batch identification. First-in-first-out rotation principle enforced.
Moisture monitoring: Periodic moisture checks during storage — rising moisture indicates ventilation or contamination issues requiring intervention.
Pest control: Integrated pest management approach — physical barriers, monitoring traps, regular inspection. Minimal chemical pest control; any chemicals used are NPOP-permitted.
Maximum storage duration: Feed used within 4-6 weeks of production. Longer storage increases mycotoxin risk + nutrient degradation.
Feeding procedures at farm level:
Twice-daily feeding: Morning and afternoon feeding cycles matching hen natural feeding patterns. Free-range access means hens also forage for insects, vegetation throughout the day.
Portion control: Appropriate feed per bird per day adjusted for flock size + age + production stage. Over-feeding wastes organic feed (expensive); under-feeding affects production + welfare.
Fresh feed daily: Feed not left in feeders overnight to avoid spoilage + pest contamination. Clean feeders between batches.
Water access: Clean water available continuously. Water lines cleaned + tested for contamination regularly.
Observation during feeding: Farm staff observe feeding behavior — changes in consumption patterns, abnormal behavior, flock health indicators. Early illness detection often shows first in feeding behavior changes.
Beyond standard layer feed, we maintain specialized feed programs for:
Omega-3 enriched line: Flaxseed supplementation increases omega-3 content of eggs. Distinct feed line with dedicated storage + rotation. Sold at premium to reflect higher feed cost.
Desi breed program: Heritage Indian breeds (Aseel, Kadaknath) have different nutritional requirements than commercial hybrids. Smaller separate feed formulation optimized for native breed physiology.
Transition flocks: Young pullets (not yet laying) + recently transitioned flocks have different nutrition needs than peak-lay hens. Separate feed formulations for different bird life stages.
Molting management: During natural molting periods, hens reduce laying and require adjusted nutrition. Specialized molting feed supports feather regrowth + health without forced lay stimulation.
Transparency is our default. WhatsApp us any operational question — we answer honestly.
