Pros: balanced, healthy, fast shipping, organic, wholesome, can be fermented
Cons: a bit expensive
Okay, the price might be off putting, however, when you have a small flock, say plus or minus around a half dozen, you're going to be paying more for less feed anyway. At least you are if you're going to be feeding reasonably fresh feed. Buying 50 lb bags, which is always cheaper, also means feed that's going to go out of date. So, with that in mind, this feed also has the advantage of being able to soak for a few days, which expanses the feed to almost double. Soaking also "ferments" the feed, making it even better for the flock. Fermenting turns 25 lbs into close to 50 lbs. So, organic, fresh, fermenting option. The price starts looking better. Read through some of Amazon's reviews for even more suggestions on how to make it go further. And, last but not least, chickens love it!
When you first open a bag of Scratch and Peck, the sweet smell is the first thing you notice. It's almost enough to make me want to taste it. I only feed my hens Scratch and Peck. All of my adult birds came to me from other places at about 18 months old, in varying degrees of health. All had previously been on pellet food. I had no problems at all switching them to the mash. I was mixing it in warm water, since the fines in the feed are difficult for the hens to eat. But then I learned about fermenting, and they love it even more. They are all very healthy now, laying tons of eggs. Their poop has very little odor to it at all, which still amazes me.
This spring I got a batch of chicks, and they have been eating the S&P chick starter. When they get big enough to be in the run with the hens, they will all get fermented grower feed.
I happen to live in Bellingham, Washington, where Scratch and Peck started and is headquartered, so it's easy to find here. I pay around $28 for a 40 lb bag of layer feed. A little pricier than other feeds, but it is worth it to me. If you are looking for the best in organic, non-GMO, this is a great option, especially if you ferment!
this is a great feed for your ladies. No soy or corn, just good whole grains (barley, wheat, peas, triticale, etc). I like to mix in black sunflower seeds and millet to stretch it further. My girls devour this stuff. Once when the feed store was out, I gave them "Albers" which is a conventional feed and they looked at me like "I have to eat this crap?"
It's a healthy food for them which is important to me because what goes into them goes into their eggs, which further enter my body. It's locally grown here in Washington by small farmers, and it's organic (although not certified). If you care about their health, give them this.
It even has oyster shells and grit mixed in, but I still offer free choice.