Chicken Scratch ONLY $8! Is It Worth It?

[Whittni]

This seems like a great deal, a local farmer has chicken scratch for $8/50lbs. I used to paying a good $18/50lbs at the feed store.

• I understand that's not a full supplement but is the price worth mixing in with my current chicken feed?
• I don't keep chickens for eggs as much as I do for show.
• Would this be more money to healthy chicken efficient?

Thanks! My flock and I appreciate your time - Especially my Split Sussex Giovanni.

 

[HEChicken]

I wouldn't mix scratch in with feed. It would be find of like mixing M&M's into broccoli and giving it to an 8-year-old and expect them to be just as interested in eating the broccoli as they are the candy. If you mix scratch into feed, they will bill out the feed looking for the scratch and you will have a lot of wasted feed.

I don't always keep scratch on hand but when I do have it, I throw them a handful now and then when I think about it - it is in no way a regular part of their diet. Although it is tempting to want to get it because of the price, for maximum egg production and health, I would avoid feeding them very much of it.

 

[Whittni]

So its more of a treat like fruits and stuff, okay. I think I'll still buy a few bags, just because it is a nice thing to have in case you run out of feed.

 

[BellevueOmlet]

I agree that you should not mix with feed since it is a filler. It will change your the blend of your food and make it less nutritious. That is a good price so I would buy some, maybe give them some in the winter to help them keep warm and entertained if you toss it around.