Flaxseed: A Small Addition with a Big Impact on Our No-Corn, No-Soy Feed
At Lord-Cranmer Farm, we’re always fine-tuning what goes into our feed because what our birds eat becomes what youeat. Our chickens and ducks already thrive on green pastures, foraging for grasses and insects, and enjoying a no-corn, no-soy diet. But there’s one small ingredient we add that makes a noticeable difference—flaxseed.
Why Flaxseed?
Flaxseed is one of nature’s richest plant sources of omega-3 fatty acids. When hens eat it, those healthy fats make their way into the eggs and meat, creating a naturally improved omega-3 to omega-6 ratio.
Research shows that even small amounts—around 3–5% of the feed—can increase omega-3 content in eggs by more than 200% without changing production or flavor (Cherian & Sim 1991; Bean & Leeson 2003). That’s real, measurable nutrition, coming directly from the field.
How We Use It
We lightly crack our flaxseed before feeding. Whole seeds mostly pass through undigested, but cracking them opens up the oils and nutrients for the birds. Once cracked, we add it as a topper to our feed: about one 50-pound bag of flaxseed per one-ton tote of finished feed.
That small ratio adds healthy fats and fiber without overpowering the mix or causing storage issues. Because we don’t grind it finely, and because our feed is fresh, we don’t worry about oxidation. We also don’t add synthetic vitamin E—our hens get plenty of natural antioxidants from their daily pasture greens and forage.
Healthy Birds, Healthy Eggs
We’ve noticed the difference in both the birds and their eggs. Their feathers stay glossy, their energy holds steady through winter, and the yolks deepen to that rich, golden color that only comes from a nutrient-dense diet.
Flaxseed pairs beautifully with pasture: one offers fatty acids, the other chlorophyll, beta-carotene, and minerals. Together, they produce the kind of nutrition that doesn’t come from bagged feed alone.
Sustainable and Regenerative
Beyond its nutritional value, flax fits into our bigger mission. It’s a crop that grows well in northern climates, supports soil rotation, and doesn’t demand the heavy inputs of corn and soy. Adding flax helps us move closer to a closed-loop, climate-smart feed system that benefits the soil, the birds, and ultimately, your table.
References
Cherian, G. & Sim, J. S. (1991). “Dietary flaxseed and egg composition.” Poultry Science, 70(4): 896–903.
Bean, L. D. & Leeson, S. (2003). “Long-term effects of feeding flaxseed on performance and egg fatty acid composition.” Poultry Science, 82(3): 388–394.
Anjum, M. I. et al. (2013). “Effect of flaxseed supplementation on performance and egg fatty acid profile in laying hens.” J. Anim. Physiol. Anim. Nutr., 97(6): 1081–1091.
University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension. (2009). Feeding Flaxseed to Poultry.
Oregon State University Small Farms Program. (2020). Alternative Feeds for Small Flocks.
In Summary
Flaxseed might look humble, but its impact is mighty. By lightly cracking and adding a modest amount to our no-corn, no-soy ration, we’re giving our birds a natural source of omega-3s that supports strong health, beautiful eggs, and regenerative agriculture—no additives required.
It’s one more way we’re proving that real food, raised right, starts with what we feed our animals.