We have been raising pasture chickens for about 20 years now. Small batches in portable chicken shelters. We have always sourced our feed from local providers. Several years ago we started down the path to eliminate corn and soy from our chicken feed. After removing soy and corn we tested our pasture-raised chickens’ Fatty Acid profile. In the fall of 2020, the results showed our pasture chickens raised without corn or soy in the feed had an Omega 6:3 Ratio of 5.6:1. At the time, we felt this was pretty good for chicken, considering a typical chicken will have an Omega 6:3 ratio 4.6 times higher*, or an Omega 6:3 ratio of ~26:1
In search of the perfect low omega 6:3 pasture chicken
After doing further research, we asked our local feed provider to tweak the grain mix and add flax to the feed. The new feed was a success with the birds. The average total pounds of feed to raise a chicken this past spring dropped by about 2 lb. per chicken. Reports from our customers indicate that the flavor of our pasture chickens as still meeting expectations (tastes great) following the change in feed. It is our opinion that excellent flavor comes from the chickens living outside, on pasture, with less stress, fresh air, sunshine, and cool dark nights. All of these factors are missing from a chicken raised in buildings.
Spring 2025 Pasture Chicken Omega 6:3 Results
We achieved our goal of a low omega 6:3 ratio. Test results show omega 6:3 ratio = 1.1:1. The table below shows a breakdown of the fatty acid profile of our no soy, no corn pasture chickens without flax (2020) compared to our pasture chicken feed with flax (2025).
A few things to note in the results concerning the Essential Fatty acids. Essential to humans because we need to obtain these nutrients through the food we consume.
- Essential Fatty Acids:
- Pentadecanoic increased 18% (link that suggests this is an essential fatty acid)
- Linoleic acid (LA) increased by 33%.
- alpha-Linolenic (ALA) increased by an amazing 1604%
The summary table below lists the Fatty Acid by type and the Omega 6:3 Ratio. A few things to note:
- Trans fats do exist in nature in very small amounts.
- Trans fats showed the greatest decline.
- Saturated fats are recognized as protective to our bodies.
- Saturated fats had a small decrease.
- The new feed displays a very balanced fatty acid profile between Saturated, Polyunsaturated and Monounsaturated. About 1/3 from each of the three main fat categories.
Does this mean the chicken is better for me?
It is hard to answer the question if this is better for any one individual. We are all biochemically unique. It is generally recognized that a human diet with an Omega 6:3 ratio between 1.0 – 4.0 will be beneficial to most of us. Looking at the data, we achieved this objective. It is also generally thought helpful to keep LA low. In the chart above, LA does increase, but not significantly like ALA. I for one like balance, and from the summary table above, I see balance.
If you are interested in trying Low Omega 6:3 chicken, just let us know.
* Raw Chicken Breast, DS Family Farm Omega 6:3 Ratio 5.6:1 vs. Raw Chicken Breast MYFOODDATA Omega 6:3 Ratio 25.77.