Why Lord-Cranmer Farm Feeds a Corn- and Soy-Free Diet
What We Use Instead—and Why It Matters for Your Health and the Planet
At Lord-Cranmer Farm, we believe the health of our animals directly impacts the health of the families who eat our food. That’s why all of our poultry is raised on a corn-free, soy-free, and non-GMO diet—a decision that prioritizes nutrition, animal welfare, and sustainable farming over convenience.
While many farms—even organic ones—rely heavily on corn and soy for their affordability, we’ve chosen a different path. It’s not the cheapest or easiest way to farm, but we believe it’s the most honest, nutritious, and sustainable.
Why Animal Feed Matters: You Are What Your Food Ate
“You are what you eat” is only half the story. The truth is, you are what your food ate. The diet of chickens directly affects the nutritional quality of their meat and eggs, which in turn impacts your health.
Most commercial chicken feed is dominated by corn (for energy) and soy (for protein)—but both ingredients pose major concerns for animal health, human nutrition, and environmental impact.
Why We Don’t Feed Corn to Our Chickens
Corn may be common in livestock diets, but it creates more problems than it solves:
Imbalanced Omega Fatty Acids: Corn-fed poultry produces meat and eggs with an unhealthy ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids, promoting inflammation.
High in Simple Carbohydrates: Corn promotes rapid weight gain and fattier meat with reduced nutrient density.
Potential Allergen: A growing number of people report sensitivity to corn, even when indirectly consumed through animal products.
Environmental Harm: Industrial corn production contributes to soil erosion, heavy pesticide use, and water pollution.
Why We Don’t Feed Soy to Our Animals
Soy is often used as a high-protein filler in poultry feed—but it carries significant risks:
Phytoestrogens (Plant Estrogens): Soy contains isoflavones that can mimic estrogen and affect hormone balance in both animals and humans.
Common Food Allergen: Soy is among the top eight allergens. Avoiding it makes our products safer for those with sensitivities.
Nearly All GMO: The majority of U.S. soy is genetically modified and sprayed with herbicides like glyphosate.
Blocks Mineral Absorption: Soy contains phytic acid, which interferes with the body’s ability to absorb essential minerals like calcium and iron.
As researcher Dr. Ray Peat noted:
“Corn and soybeans… cause the animals’ fat to be chemically equivalent to vegetable oil… Their fat becomes equally toxic, and equally fattening.”
That’s not something we want in our animals—or on your plate.
What We Feed Instead: Non-GMO, Oregon-Grown Alternatives
We work with a local mill just five miles from our farm to create a custom, corn-free, soy-free feed using only Oregon-grown, non-GMO ingredients. Our custom mix supports natural growth, balanced energy, and nutrient-dense meat and eggs.
Red Wheat & Barley
Provides complex carbohydrates and fiber for slow-burning energy without inflammation.
Field Peas
A clean, digestible, soy-free protein source that helps birds grow strong without phytoestrogens.
Camelina Meal
Rich in omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants. Supports healthy immune systems and a better fat profile in meat and eggs.
Fish Meal
Offers a full amino acid profile, essential for healthy muscle development and nutrient density.
Flax Meal
Naturally high in anti-inflammatory omega-3s, improving both flavor and nutrition.
White Oats
Easy to digest and full of fiber, oats promote gut health and overall wellness in birds.
Essential Minerals
A precise blend to support bone strength, metabolic health, and consistent egg production.
Our Secret Ingredient? Real Pasture.
Beyond our custom feed, our poultry is pasture-raised on rotating fields, where they forage for grasses, seeds, bugs, and whatever else they scratch up. This natural behavior enhances their health and contributes to the depth of flavor in our meat and eggs.
Why It Matters: Healthier Food, Healthier Families
By choosing a corn- and soy-free diet for our animals, we produce food that is:
Nutrient-dense and anti-inflammatory
Naturally higher in omega-3s and vitamins
Free from allergens and hormone-disrupting compounds
Better for the land and local ecosystems
We raise animals the way nature intended—slowly, ethically, and cleanly—so that you can feel confident about every bite.
Taste the Difference at Lord-Cranmer Farm
We invite you to come see the farm, meet our birds, and experience the difference that clean feed and pasture-based practices make. You can find us at our local farmers markets or reach out anytime to schedule a visit.
No corn. No soy. No compromises. Just real food—raised right.