Healthy "scratch"?

[speckledhen]

That is a feed for roosters, basically. What they do with the roosters is another issue altogether. I feed Knockout or Fighten' Scratch to my own birds, none of which are games of any type. I mostly use the Knockout because it has 11 grains and great quality at 13% protein.

 

[domino7]

I just use cracked corn for scratch. It's cheap. They only get a handful or so at night. Man, all I have to do is shake the can and I can get them all in the coop no matter what time it is.

 

[mechagrue]

Quote:
Awesome link, thank you! Bookmarked so that I can pass it out to people in the future.

I've encountered many "corn debates," and I always had a gut feeling that it was an old wive's tale. Good to get some solid information on the topic! And I see it was seconded by someone with a PhD in Livestock Nutrition and an AG teacher, as well.

I had always heard that scratch = empty calories. But according to Mac's post it's a valuable feed addition at the height of summer and the height of winter. I shall purchase some anon!

There's so much misinformation, confusion, and superstition involved in chicken nutrition. It's good to get some solid expert opinion once in a while.

 

[Chris09]

I would like to add that once a grain is cracked or rolled it starts to lose its nutritional value. Take cracked corn if it is 9% pro. when it is cracked it might be only around 4% pro. in 3 weeks. It is best to find a scratch grain that has hole grains in it (not cracked or rolled)
The grain mix that speckledhen is using is good. I use a 16% pro. all grain pigeon feed with pop corn in it. ( the grain is hole and not cracked of rolled)...

Chris

 

[Pagemaker]

Quote:
Could you provide me with your sources for this information? I've heard that before to but I'm not sure I believe it.
When examining the label I have never noticed there being a difference between whole vs. cracked corn
I just wondered if there is actually any studies done on this or any actual proof.
Thanks in advance

 

[Chris09]

Quote:
Could you provide me with your sources for this information? I've heard that before to but I'm not sure I believe it.
When examining the label I have never noticed there being a difference between whole vs. cracked corn
I just wondered if there is actually any studies done on this or any actual proof.
Thanks in advance

I got the information from a Ag./Livestock Science book some time ago. I can say that whole corn around here runs about 9% pro. to 10% pro. and once it is cracked the protein will drop to 7.5%.

Chris

 

[Cindy in PA]

I always fed just BOSS for scratch and sometimes corn in the winter. Recently I started feeding a no corn pigeon mix with 16% protein along with BOSS, lentils and split peas. The lentils and split peas are 22%. The pigeon mix contains filed austrian peas, Canada peas & field peas that they leave for last, but eventually eat at the end. I do this so as not to dilute their 16% feed and actually raise it a bit. I have found an 18% Gamebird breeder feed that I hope to put them on this week, so I will feed this along with the grains & hopefully keep their protein above 18%. I also feed sprouted wheat and other greens.

 

[Lazy J Farms Feed & Hay]

Quote:
Chris:

Just which "Ag Science" book did this information come from? If your source actually published this it is an error. Simply cracking corn will not result in a loss of protein. To lose protein you need some sort of deammination reaction, which does not occur without specific enzymes.

I would stop stating this as a fact since it no true.

Jim