Beyond Corn & Soybeans: Joel Salatin’s Broiler Ration and the Philosophy of Real Chicken Feed

For decades, Joel Salatin of Polyface Farm has been a revolutionary voice in regenerative agriculture, challenging industrial norms with practices that prioritize soil health, animal welfare, and food quality. At the heart of his successful pastured poultry operation lies a deceptively simple yet profoundly thoughtful element: his homemade broiler feed ration. Unlike the commodity-based, often synthetic-laden feeds dominating the industry, Salatin’s formulation is a testament to the power of simplicity, real ingredients, and biological synergy .

Why Salatin’s Feed Defies Industrial Logic

Industrial poultry production relentlessly pursues efficiency: faster growth, higher feed conversion ratios (FCR), and lower costs. Modern genetics and nutrition science aim for staggering goals like a 1:1 FCR (1 kg of feed to produce 1 kg of live bird) by 2025 . While economically impressive, this drive often relies on:

• Synthetic Additives: Chemically derived vitamins, amino acids, and growth promoters.
• Standardized Commodities: Corn and soybean meal as the unchallenged base.
• Disease Management: Routine antibiotics and coccidiostats to combat confinement-related illnesses .

Salatin’s approach flips this script. His pastured broilers move daily onto fresh grass, enjoying sunlight, exercise, and foraging. Their feed isn’t just fuel for rapid growth; it’s foundational nutrition designed to complement their natural lifestyle and build robust health from the inside out. He prioritizes:

1. Real, Recognizable Ingredients: No “mystery meals” or synthetic vitamins.
2. Biological Sources: Nutrients from fermented probiotics, cold-water kelp, and low-heat processed fish meal.
3. Digestive & Immune Support: Significant inclusion of probiotics and fiber for gut integrity – a factor industrial operations now recognize as critical for FCR, but often address synthetically .

Decoding the Salatin Broiler Ration: Ingredient by Ingredient

Here’s the breakdown of Salatin’s signature broiler mix, honed through years of on-farm experimentation :

1. Corn (52%): The primary energy source, providing essential carbohydrates. While conventional, Salatin emphasizes sourcing quality corn, ideally grown locally or on-farm.
2. Roasted Soybeans (29%): The crucial protein punch. Roasting is vital – it destroys anti-nutritional factors (trypsin inhibitors) in raw soybeans, making the protein highly digestible and safe. This replaces reliance on synthetic amino acids common in commercial feeds .
3. Crimped Oats (11%): More than just filler. Oats offer protein and carbs, but their real magic is in the hulls. This fiber is essential for healthy digestion, gut motility, and preventing issues like wet litter – a major concern linked to poor gut health and FCR losses in confinement .
4. Fish Meal (3.5% – Specifically Sea-Lac Brand): A powerhouse of high-quality animal protein, essential amino acids (like methionine), vitamins (B12, D), and minerals (especially trace minerals). Salatin insists on Sea-Lac due to its low-heat processing, preserving delicate nutrients often destroyed in conventional rendering .
5. Fertrell Nutri-Balancer (3%): This is Salatin’s “insurance policy.” After testing numerous supplements (“snake oil”), he found this natural, mineral-rich balancer delivered superior results. It provides a broad spectrum of bioavailable vitamins and trace minerals derived from natural sources (like seaweed, oyster shell), crucial for bone development, immune function, and enzyme systems. He avoids synthetic vitamins due to their instability (especially in heat) and lower assimilation rates .
6. Feed Grade Limestone (1%): Provides readily available calcium for strong skeletal development, crucial for active pastured birds. Layer rations require significantly more (5%) for eggshell production .
7. Kelp Meal (0.5% – Ideally Thorvin or cold-water, geothermal dried): A mineral treasure trove. Kelp provides over 60 trace minerals (iodine, selenium, zinc, etc.) and amino acids often deficient in grains. Cold-water varieties dried geothermally retain maximum nutrient value .
8. Fastrack Probiotic (0.1%): The gut health linchpin. This specific probiotic boasts high levels of Lactobacillus acidophilus without fillers. Probiotics “seed” the gut with beneficial bacteria, enhancing digestion, nutrient absorption, and crucially, outcompeting pathogens – a foundational element of Salatin’s antibiotic-free operation .

Table: Salatin Broiler Ration vs. Industrial Nutrient Targets

Nutrient/Component	Salatin Broiler Ration	Typical Industrial Broiler Starter (0-10d)	Salatin’s Emphasis
Protein	~22-24% (Estimated)	22-25%	Quality & Source: Roasted Soy, Fish Meal
Energy (kcal/kg)	~3000-3100 (Estimated)	~3010	Sufficiency for pasture activity
Calcium	~1% (+ Grass/Forage minerals)	1.0%	Natural Sources: Limestone, Kelp
Additives	Probiotics, Kelp, Fish Meal	Synthetic AA, Enzymes, Cocciostats, Vitamins	Biological, Gut-Health Focus
Fiber	Significant (Oat Hulls)	Minimal	Digestive Health, Wet litter prevention
Vitamins/Minerals	Natural Source (Fertrell, Kelp)	Primarily Synthetic	Bioavailability, Stability

Why This Formula Works on Pasture

This combination isn’t accidental; it’s synergistic:

• Protein & Energy Balance: Roasted soy and corn provide the core macronutrients, while fish meal offers a highly digestible animal protein boost and critical amino acids like methionine.
• Gut Health Triad: Oats (fiber), Fish Meal (nutrient density), and Probiotics (microflora) work together to create a healthy digestive environment. Fiber promotes gut motility and feeds beneficial bacteria, probiotics directly inoculate the gut, and high-quality nutrients reduce undigested substrate that can feed pathogens like Clostridia (linked to necrotic enteritis) .
• Mineral & Vitamin Sufficiency: Fertrell and Kelp provide a broad, natural spectrum of micronutrients essential for metabolism, immunity, and bone strength, complementing minerals obtained from fresh forage and insects.
• Resilience Over Speed: While achieving good growth rates (market weight typically around 8-9 weeks on pasture), the ration prioritizes robust health and nutrient density over the hyper-accelerated growth of Cornish Cross in confinement (5-6 weeks). This results in hardier birds better suited to outdoor life .

Implementing Salatin’s Approach: Practical Considerations

Mixing your own feed à la Salatin is empowering but requires commitment :

1. Sourcing: Finding organic, non-GMO, or locally grown corn and soybeans is ideal. Roasting soybeans is essential – often done locally at feed mills. Specialty items (Sea-Lac, Fertrell, Thorvin Kelp, Fastrack) may require online ordering or specialized feed suppliers.
2. Grinding & Mixing: A feed grinder (with appropriate screen size) is essential. Process: Grind corn and soybeans. Crimp oats (don’t grind into flour). Pre-mix all minor ingredients (limestone, Fertrell, kelp, fish meal, probiotic) thoroughly in a bucket before adding to the main grains in a large mixer or wheelbarrow. Mix extremely well to prevent pockets of concentrated minerals .
3. Costs vs. Savings: Initial investment in a grinder and sourcing ingredients can be high. However, buying grains in bulk, eliminating markups on commercial feed, and potentially growing your own corn/soy can lead to significant long-term savings, especially with organic feed. The health benefits (reduced mortality, vet costs) are harder to quantify but real .
4. Adaptations: Salatin encourages adaptation! If soy is a concern or unavailable (as some permaculture practitioners note ), explore alternatives like sunflower meal, pea protein, or insect meal (research amounts carefully). Ensure protein levels are maintained. Locally available grains like wheat, barley, or millet can partially replace corn, adjusting for energy content.

Table: Step-by-Step Mixing Guide (50 lbs Batch)

Step	Action	Key Tip
1	Grind: Corn & Roasted Soybeans	Use coarse screen; avoid flour consistency.
2	Crimp: Oats	Roll, don’t grind; preserve hull fiber.
3	Weigh: Corn (26 lbs), Soy (14.5 lbs), Oats (5.5 lbs) → Add to Mixer	Use scale with TARE function.
4	Pre-mix: Limestone (0.5 lb), Fertrell (1.5 lb), Kelp (0.25 lb), Fish Meal (1.75 lb), Probiotic (0.05 lb) in bucket	Crucial step for even distribution. Mix thoroughly.
5	Combine: Add Pre-mix to grains in mixer.	Scrape bucket completely.
6	Mix: Blend for 10-15 minutes.	Check corners/wheelbarrow edges for unmixed pockets.
7	Store: In airtight, pest-proof container (e.g., metal bin).	Use within a few weeks for freshness; store in cool, dry place.

Beyond the Recipe: The Broader Impact

Salatin’s feed philosophy transcends a simple ingredient list. It embodies core principles of his farming ethos:

• Closing the Loop: Integrating livestock (manure) with crop production (feed grains) builds soil fertility and farm resilience .
• Food as Medicine: Viewing feed as foundational to animal health eliminates the need for routine medications and creates nutrient-dense meat.
• Rejecting Industrial Dependence: Taking control of feed sourcing and formulation liberates farmers from commodity markets and synthetic inputs.
• Respect for Biology: Prioritizing digestibility, gut health, and natural nutrient sources works with the bird’s physiology, not against it.

Challenges and the Path Forward

Adopting this model isn’t without hurdles. Sourcing specialized ingredients consistently, the labor of grinding/mixing, and mastering the nuances of feed formulation require dedication. The upfront cost can deter small-scale starters. Yet, the rewards – healthier birds, superior meat quality, reduced veterinary inputs, and the deep satisfaction of true self-reliance – resonate powerfully with a growing number of farmers and homesteaders disillusioned with the industrial food chain .

Future innovations in sustainable poultry nutrition – like precision fermentation of proteins, advanced probiotics, or utilizing novel local protein sources (algae, insects) – could potentially integrate with Salatin’s core philosophy of natural, gut-supportive, and farm-centric feeding . His formulation isn’t a static relic; it’s a foundational framework proving that real food, for both animals and humans, starts with real ingredients.

Joel Salatin’s broiler ration is more than chicken feed; it’s a manifesto for a different kind of agriculture – one grounded in biology, transparency, and a profound respect for the natural systems that sustain us. By understanding and adapting his principles, farmers can take a significant step towards true sustainability and nourishing food production.