Feed versus Scratch

[MKetter]

I have been raising my brother’s chickens until he gets a coop. It’s both of our first time having chickens. I told him they need a new bag of feed. He bought this. This isn’t labeled grower feed. It’s scratch. He knows about grower feed. He bought their first bag. I bought their second bag but sent him a picture of the bag for his approval. This third bag is apparently the only chicken feed the store had in stock. This isn’t going to provide their nutrition, is it? From what I gather scratch is more of a treat. Is that right? Can you tell me the difference between scratch and feed?

 

[rosemarythyme]

Without seeing the nutrition panel it does appear this is strictly scratch, which is a treat and not feed.

If the store isn't well stocked, depending on where you're located, ordering online for feed might be an option in a pinch.

 

[saysfaa]

I have been raising my brother’s chickens until he gets a coop. It’s both of our first time having chickens. I told him they need a new bag of feed. He bought this. This isn’t labeled grower feed. It’s scratch. He knows about grower feed. He bought their first bag. I bought their second bag but sent him a picture of the bag for his approval. This third bag is apparently the only chicken feed the store had in stock. This isn’t going to provide their nutrition, is it? From what I gather scratch is more of a treat. Is that right? Can you tell me the difference between scratch and feed?

It says scratch but the ingredients are: Wheat, Milo, Millet, Barley, Sunflower Seed, Mineral Oil, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Riboflavin, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin B7 (Biotin), Zinc Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Calcium Iodate, DL Methionine, Dicalcium Phosphate, Flax Oil, Vitamin E (Tocopherols).

That is way more than scratch generally has. It is quite odd. If they didn't want to run the analysis for some reason (expense?), I get that, it could be like growing organic foods but being able to label it organic because of the expense and hoops. But then why put the extra ingredients in this feed?

There is hope it is pretty close to what they need. Even if it isn't, a few days of it until you can get something else won't hurt them. Well, offer grit too. They will need it for this even if they were on pellets or crumble that didn't need it.

It says it is for "hens" so I assume the calcium is too high for chicks. Again, a few days is ok but it isn't very good for them ling term.

You might check the mill date or use-by date if you feed it very long. If they have only one feed left, it seems extra risky to not check.