Homemade Scratch

[michickenwrangler]

I make my scratch--whole oats, cracked corn and whole sunflower seeds.

For those of you who make your own, what do you mix in?

 

[catwalk]

I'd like to make my own. I'm a new chicken owner with an exploding population (5 pens, 2 tractors, 2 incubators, all full), and I just bought my First bag of scratch. It's not labled, so I don't know what the little brown balls are that no one eats. I'd leave those out if I could....

 

[LauraSBale]

my Mix

25 lbs of oats
15 lbs whole seed oat
25 lbs cracked corn
1 10lb bag of wild bird seed
5 lbs of flax seed

 

[chickon baby]

Question about "scratch"??? Is scratch a treat for the chicks? Do you give that as a extra along with the layer feed?? What is crumbles?? Mine get layer feed w/the grit mixed in.I keep that available 24/7. They also get dried oats w/apples every am and then safflower seeds for a treat.Occasionally they get left over wheat bread and of course garden scraps.I tried the yogurt and they did not like it at all.They do love the watermelon and corn on the cob.Guess they are spoiled because they dont care for other veggies and Im not sure what fruits they can have other than apples.I would like to try other treats for them and I think they would like the scratch.Thet are 17 mos.old. Thanks,Chickon baby

 

[LauraSBale]

crumble is just the size the feed come in, there mash which more powder, crumble, broken up pettles, then pellet,

i really like pellet, so much doesn't go to waste,

starch is like a treat of grains, i give mine egg girls it 3 to 4 times a week, as for veg and fruit i give it when i ever i have it, and in the summer its every day, i give enough that they will with in 5 mins

you dont mix feed with starch,

i just throw the starch on the ground and they eat up that way.

if your chickens are free range or have access to dirt they really dont need grit in their feed, i only add grit in the winter
I dont give mine yogurt at all, if they need acidodphlies (sorry speilling). i give that in either a electrolyte powder in their water, or i will add some to their feed.

 

[Cindy in PA]

Right now I'm mixing black oil sunflower seeds, no corn 16% Moyer's pigeon mix (3 kinds of feed peas, millet, canary seed, milo, wheat & a few other things, lentils & split peas & another mix that is 12% and has niger, millet, shelled sunflower & some other stuff. I just like to feed variety and keep the protein percent high enough not to water down the 19% gamebird feed too much. I like them to eat the grains so they don't have to eat just prepared food! They seem to enjoy their afternoon treats.

 

[LauraSBale]

yes those chickens do love their treats

 

[the lemon tree]

Let's see, the homemade scratch I have right now has:

black oil sunflower seeds
sunflower seeds
cracked corn
hard red wheat berries
millet
bulgur wheat
barley
quinoa
pumpkin seeds
flax seed
oats

Such spoiled chickens. Now lay me some eggs!!