chicken scratch

[wjallen05]

so this has no nutritional value to it? I've been giving my chickens about 1/2 scoop a day.... is that way too much?

 

[miss_jayne]

Quote:
corn has value, but not much protein. 1/2 scoop depends on how many chickens you have, and the size of the scoop.

it should be an additional feed, not a complete feed.

 

[wjallen05]

For 2 hens, 6 pullets (nearing 20 weeks) and 1 cockerel, they eat 1 scoop of laying pellets and 1/2 scoop of scratch. I've been giving my Silkies and OEG bantam hen scratch only since they aren't laying anyway. And my CMs (2 hens, 1 roo) get a mixture of both but they don't eat as much.

 

[digitS']

It looks like you are feeding about 30% scratch. The poultry science people usually recommend not more than 15% of their diets or what the birds can clean-up in 20 minutes. The University of West Virginia says you can feed more but do so with higher-protein formulas. University West Virginia (pdf)

Your own state of Georgia makes it real simple, "Do not mix scratch grain with a complete commercial ration." University of Georgia

Florida State University has this same kind of advice - do not feed scratch. I can point out that even outdoor Winter-time temperatures in these 2 states would not require a very high calorie level for poultry feed.

Steve

 

[cajunlizz]

Quote:
1 scoop ? maybe 2 scoops for that many head . How big is this scoop ?

Scratch should only be given as a treat . NOT a supplement .


they need their laying pellets 24/7 . they should never be without feed .


I feed treats around mid afternoon , and feed really heavy amount of laying pellets around 4:30 - 5:00 and they still have some left when I feed the following afternoon . they peck , scratch and eat all day .

 

[wjallen05]

Oops, a scoop is a 3 lb scoop. (used for horses)

I fill up their feeder and it usually lasts all day. I feed them in the morning and they usually finish up before they go in to roost for the night. I usually give them treats in the afternoon... crackers, romaine lettuce, strawberries, crickets, etc.

Thanks for the info. Guess I'll stop feeding stratch.

 

[digitS']

Oh heck, don't stop feeding it . . .

IMHO - just limit it. And, in your part of the world - it probably isn't a good idea to give it to them in the warm months of the year.

Steve

Edited to add: I can't read!

 

[miss_jayne]

yep, i agree with digitS. you can use it, just not a big amount. sprinkle some on the ground or in their bedding for them to stir it up.

just use it in moderation, not as a feed. it's a snack or treat if you will.

 

[Marlinchaser]

From the Purina Mills website:

Purina Mills

Scratch Grains SunFresh

Grains
Purina Mills

Scratch Grains SunFresh

Grains is a natural blend of high-quality natural grains designed to be fed free-choice to adult chickens, ducks, geese and turkeys to encourage the natural pecking and feeding instincts. Note that Scratch Grains is a grain supplement, not a complete feed. If too much is fed, it will dilute the feed intake of complete feeds such as Start & Grow

, Layena

and Flock Raiser

, reducing the bird’s nutritional intake and overall performance. Purina Mills

Scratch Grains SunFresh

Grains should not comprise more than 10% of the birds’ overall diet.​

 

[wjallen05]

Thanks so much for all the info! I will deffinetly only feed a little bit from now on.