How Often Should Chickens Be Offered Scratch?

[mnall]

I have 20 laying hens and 5 eight week old chicks and just hatched 17 more chicks. I'm keeping real busy with all my chickens, but I'm not sure how often a chicken should be offered scratch feed in their diet. I'm currently feeding them scratch daily right now, but is that too much? They also are offered the laying feed and oyster shells daily. I have noticed my laying hens and my roosters having yellow poop and it's real loose but they also poop greenish color and have the white cap on it so its not always runny and their not sick. What do I do? Is the liquid poop from the scratch or something else I might be doing wrong? HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Hangin Wit My Peeps]

Mine INSIST on getting a little thrown down every morning. They seem just fine with that much. I throw about 2 cups down for 10 hens...with all the scratching they do they miss 1/2 of it

 

[greenfamilyfarms]

Once they reach laying age, you can give it to them occasionally for a treat, but not as a sole ration. In the winter is a good time to offer a little extra since it helps keep them warmer.

 

[Hangin Wit My Peeps]

hens do get runny poo every once in a while...if it's not all the time I wouldn't worry. Do you see any worms or anything in their poo?

 

[gkeesling]

i dont think some scratch is wrong daily as long as their primary food source is the layer feed or something similar - unless the free range all the time - then they will get what ever they want off the ground. I suggest just feeding scratch as a treat. I have 20 laying hens and give them a 1 lb. coffee can of my steer feed (ground corn and oats) once a day, plus some talbe scraps now and again, and mine seem to be doing ok.

 

[Kittymomma]

I give 26 chickens about 2-3 cups a day total fed 2-3x a day. They get more if it's really cold out. You just don't want to feed too much of it and drop their total protien down too low. I also feed 22% gamebird feed and high protien snacks like eggs and meat leftovers from dinner though so I don't worry too much about it. Treats are great for keeping them friendly, every critter on the place comes running when they see that red coffee can in my hand.

 

[PhilErvin]

I through it out just about every day during the winter, helps to keep them warm and gives them something to scratch and peck at.
I also give them a head of cabbage ( hang it by a cord at about their chest level) they love it.

 

[Roy]

I give my a couple cups of scratch in the morning and then again in the evening when I get home from work. At this point, they expect it and come running...

 

[PeeperKeeper]

Scratch is a "treat". We feed ours twice daily. If they are getting a good ration of pullet or layer feed, free choice, then give them an ocasional canful of scratch too. The scratch, basically, in my opinion, gives their little minds and busy toes something to do besides "peck" each other to death. Feed the scratch out where they have to hunt and peck for it. Makes them feel they've earned their keep!
we also give a little extra in the colder weather as to provide nutrional warm up fuel for their little feathered bodies
Scratch has its place as well as oyster shell, but always "in moderation".

 

[SunAngel]

All my chickens get some scratch thrown out every morning. They wait at the run door for me to get there with it. I think I would get attacked if I didn't give them some lol.