Clarification on scratch

[PirateGirl]

I don't know that my chickens like the scratch any more or less than their regular feed

 

[GC-Raptor]

Always check the Label/Tag found on the bottom of larger bags. Like these.

It'll say, either complete feed or supplement feed and then warn you if it's a supplement feed to not feed more than10/15 percent of diet. GC
ETA; Some complete feeds look like Scratch, but have been Fortified with essential nutrients.

 

[ZooAtHome]

Always check the Label/Tag found on the bottom of larger bags. Like these.

View attachment 1748227

It'll say, either complete feed or supplement feed and then warn you if it's not a complete feed. GC

I understand that foods labeled scratch are not nutritionally complete and are meant to be a supplement (read "treat"), not a staple diet. As I said in my original post, this wasn't a nutritional question, but more a definition question.

Reading labels is actually what triggered this question. I had noticed that not everything referred to as scratch was the same and was curious as to whether or not there was something specific about scratch that made it ... well, scratch as opposed to simply a treat (like mealworms). The answer seems to be that it is made up of grains and is lower in protein than feed. Though I'd swear I once saw a bag labeled "scratch" that had mealworms in addition to the grains, but I may be mis-remembering. It may have just said "treat." I'll check again the next time I'm at that store.

In the end, this is simply a question of semantics and I truly appreciate all the input you guys have given. I get very curious about words and how we come to use them the way we do and I'm discovering that the chicken world has a lingo all its own.

 

[Sequel]

Scratch is candy for chickens. lol

 

[rosemarythyme]

To me "scratch" is a grain based supplement meant to keep chickens busy scratching about for, hence the name.

 

[GC-Raptor]

Though I'd swear I once saw a bag labeled "scratch" that had mealworms in addition to the grains,

Yeah, so Scratch Grains are usually Grains, but some may have Seeds like Sunflower.
Treats may have seeds, fruits, mealworms.
Both are treats and lack the proper balance of nutrients. It can be confusing. GC

 

[chrissynemetz]

All scratch = treats
But not all treats = scratch

 

[Cryss]

Mostly fantasy, sometimes suspense, often a mix of the two. My current project centers around a female werewolf. So far, no chicken stories ... though that may change.

Ooh sounds interesting. I'm currently working on an urban fantasy novel about vampires! Still haven't found a way to work chickens into the story though...

Attack Of The Killer Werechicken!