Is grazing and scratch enough?

[catharineslover]

My 8 hens range over an acre of grasses, other plants and oaks. Since they are eating bugs and even sometimes lizards, could I get by feeding them just non-GMO scratch?

 

[Eggcessive]

I know a person who does that, but my chickens are 50% larger than his. The fact is that chickens need 16% for layers and and 20%protein for pullets and chicks. Scratch grains cost almost as much as 16-20% feed, so with feed plus the free ranging, they should have the best nutrition to lay eggs and have plenty of meat on them. Scratch is only 8% protein.