From Shell-Eating Hens to Thriving Flocks: How Jireh Family Farm Created Its Own Chicken Feed

It started with a problem we couldn’t ignore. Our hens were eating their own eggshells.

We were feeding them national brand layer feed—the same bags you see in every farm store. But something was off. Egg production was weak. Shells were thin and brittle. The birds looked dull, pecked at the ground constantly, and worst of all, they were trying to get calcium from the only source they had: their own broken eggs.

We knew they weren’t getting what they needed.

So we started testing. First, one brand. Then another. More protein here, added grit there. Nothing moved the needle. The hens stayed hungry for real nutrition.

Then we found a small mill in Benson, North Carolina. One look at their custom poultry blend and even we wanted to eat it. Whole black sunflower seeds, plump barley, cracked corn, oats, and a perfect mineral mix—bright, fragrant, and full of life. We brought a few bags home.

The change was overnight.

Eggs got stronger. Yolks turned deep orange. The hens perked up, feathers glossy, combs red and proud. Production jumped 35%—the exact same percentage the feed cost more. But it wasn’t about price anymore. It was about results.

For months, we made the one-hour drive to Benson every four weeks, loading the truck until the suspension groaned. We weren’t just buying feed. We were buying healthier birds, better eggs, and happier customers.

One day, we asked the mill owner a simple question: "Can we make this our own?"

He smiled and said, “Sure.”

What followed was five months of waiting, tweaking, and testing. We adjusted protein levels for our pasture-raised layers, boosted calcium with oyster shell and kelp, and kept every seed and grain non-GMO. We designed our own bag—Jireh Family Farm in bold letters, right on the front.

Now? We’re proud to offer two private-label chicken feeds, made to our exact specs, available to you and your flock.

• Jireh Natural Layer – 17% protein, loaded with seeds, grains, and natural calcium

• Jireh Super Chick – Higher energy for chicks and meat birds

Try a bag. Watch your hens line up at the feeder. Count the eggs. Feel the difference in shell strength and yolk color.

Your chickens deserve real food.