I think I am confused

[addicted2chicks]

Can someone explain to me when you start feeding your chickens chicken scratch and why, how much and how? Is it something you throw on the ground for them to scratch?

 

[gritsar]

Scratch is basically cracked corn. Scratch grains is the cracked corn mixed with other grains.
Without getting into the debate about whether it should only be a winter treat (the theory is it causes the chicken's body temp. to go up will it's being digested), I only feed it in the wintertime because that's what my SO's family did.
I give my 15 chickens one - 11.5 oz. coffee can of it a day in the wintertime; sometimes two if it's really cold.
You just toss it on the ground and let the chickens "scratch" for it. It gives them something to do as well as being a favorite treat.

 

[addicted2chicks]

Ok thank you.
So I don't need to get scratch til the fall? My chicks are almost 2 weeks old. They should be 6 months before I give it?

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
You know what, MHO opinion is that 6 months is a good age to start feeding it. It's a harder food for them to digest.
Right now your chicks just need their chick starter available to them at all times. If you want to treat them, try some chopped hard boiled egg or some plain yogurt. Those are two treats you can give without worrying about offering grit.

 

[JennsPeeps]

Scratch is essentially chocolate for chickens. It's a treat, not a necessity (unless you leave the decision up to them, at which point they will determine that it's a necessity).

I give my chickens scratch when I want them to come to or dig in a certain area.

 

[addicted2chicks]

Thanks both of you. I knew I shouldn't feed it to them now I just wasn't sure when I should look at buying it.
I did give them hard boiled yolk tonight from some of the eggs that cracked before we got to dye them for easter eggs. I sprinkled a tiny bit of grit on it. Was funny as they checked it out and finally they decided they liked it and they couldn't get enough. I tried yogurt the other night but nobody liked it. I will try again in a couple of days. They are just too cute when they check out new things.