Half my daily ration is scratch, mine free range, have ration available, but I like feeding scratch, chickens like eating it, I have not had any problems from doing this, but mine can balance their own nutritional needs, I get too many eggs, so production isn't my interest, long life from my chickens is more important. My chickens are robust and healthy with only an occasional older bird passing or being culled. I have read that scratch should be added when they are around 3-4 months old to lower the protein content and allow the birds to mature more slowly, so when they lay they are more developed. I don't want mine laying at 4 months old, but I do want them laying at 7 years old.
