Mealworms and "scratch grains"?

[Juniper148]

I hear lots of talk about mealworms and scratch and also see it sold next to other general chicken supplies at the feed stores. For starters, what exactly is "scratch"? Is mealworms and/or scratch imperative to a laying chicken's diet? Is it just a treat? If it's just a treat, is there a reason to buy them instead of using veggie scraps? Thanks for any help on clarifying this, obviously a newbie here!

 

[BonRae67]

Scratch is a treat. It does have beneficial seed not just corn. I feed it in the run to give everyone something to do. Veggies and things like that is for the same purpose. Mealworms are a high protein snack for them as well. These are not food like egg layer for hens. Scratch is ehat I feed my single roo in a pen.

 

[zuluchicken]

Scratch is a treat. I give my chickens a mix of crushed corn, wheat, sunflower, barley and sorghum about 2 times per week as well as the odd cricket and meal worm when I have some. I also allow them out of the coop at least 3 x per week to go and scratch in the garden getting some insects and green stuff.

No complaints so far!!