Is COB considered scratch?

[Mrs. Mucket]

I asked at the feed store about some higher protein feed for turkey poults and was advised to supplement the meatbird food (21% protein) with dry COB (8-9% extra protein). I have read that scratch should not be given during hot weather. Is COB (Corn/Oats/Barley) a form of scratch? Would anyone agree with feeding it to 6-week-old poults or giving it during hot weather? Thanks...

 

[A.T. Hagan]

Scratch feed is any feed you throw on the ground for the birds to scratch around searching for it. It can be as simple as just plain old whole corn to as elaborate a mix as you care to pay for. COB would definitely be considered scratch. My birds eat it all summer long without any problems so long as you're providing them adequate shade, water, and air flow.

At six weeks of age I'd want them to get most of their calories from their grower/starter feed for another couple of weeks at least, but a partial handful per bird per day to keep them active will not hurt anything.