Newby Chicken Scratch question

[Kuntry Klucker]

Hi All,

I am new to chickens, in fact I ordered my first batch of chicks they will be here in May, All BO.
I am making a trip to the local co-op here to get all the things I need for the chicks and the
chicken pen outside.

I was wondering what is the opinion on chicken scratch? Is it a treat for the chickens once they are
outside or used as feed? Do I feed that in addition to the regular feed or sparingly?

Thanks

 

[speckledhen]

It's not used as their main feed, no. Not all scratch is equal, either. Mine is actually Knockout Game Bird Feed with 11 grains, 12% protein, rather than the corn scratch with 8% protein and much less nutrition. I use it to train them to come home from the outer reaches of the property after free ranging by shaking a can of it. They love it so they all run home. They get handfuls thrown out when they come out in the morning and that's about it.

Use age and function-appropriate feed for your birds as the bulk of their food.

 

[Kuntry Klucker]

Ok, thank you. I had heard that chickens loved it so I wondered.
I want my chicken to associate it with a treat like the morning
treat or calling them home in the evening like you had mentioned. I do plan
to free range my flock. Thanks for your info.

 

[SunnyCalifornia]

Scratch is a treat in cool weather. Don't feed them scratch in hot weather. It raises their body temps. Also hold off on scratch for babies. Wait until they get bigger, so that they don't choke on a large piece.

Mealworms and crickets are great treats to use instead for chickies!

Have fun! Buff Orps are great, friendly, good layers...kind a loud, but sweet.

 

[Judy]

I'm currently using a mix of black oil sunflower seed and wild bird seed, as a treat only. I usually buy something like this rather than scratch, really, depending what store I'm in. I use flock raiser for my mixed age flock with oyster shell and grit on the side, and add a little animal protein a few times a week.

 

[Kuntry Klucker]

You can give chickens bird seed, really?? I was not aware of that.
That would probably be much cheaper than scratch I am sure.

Thanks for the tip!!!

 

[Chris09]

Quote:

Scratch is a treat in cool weather. Don't feed them scratch in hot weather. It raises their body temps.

This statement is not true at all...
Scratch will NOT raises their body temps at all, There are a lot of people that feed "Scratch" all year round (myself included) with no ill-affects.
Most poultry feed is 80% grain (some more some less) and their body temp. raises.

Chris​

 

[Fred's Hens]

Quote:

Scratch is a treat in cool weather. Don't feed them scratch in hot weather. It raises their body temps.

This statement is not true at all...
Scratch will NOT raises their body temps at all, There are a lot of people that feed "Scratch" all year round (myself included) with no ill-affects.
Most poultry feed is 80% grain (some more some less) and their body temp. raises.

Chris​

But if you repeat it often enough, that's makes it true, doesn't it?

 

[Chris09]

Fred's Hens :

Quote:

Scratch is a treat in cool weather. Don't feed them scratch in hot weather. It raises their body temps.

This statement is not true at all...
Scratch will NOT raises their body temps at all, There are a lot of people that feed "Scratch" all year round (myself included) with no ill-affects.
Most poultry feed is 80% grain (some more some less) and their body temp. raises.

Chris

But if you repeat it often enough, that's makes it true, doesn't it?

You would think for how often it gets posted.

Chris​

 

[andalusn]

Any bugs or worms my hens get is found by them as they free range. I offer a layer crumble to eat as they feel the need. A corn/grain scratch is something I toss out in the morning as they are waking up and gathering. Treats are what come from the kitchen... My DH has made it his job to give them left over veggies and their absolute favorite is cooked rice. They see him walking out there and they get those drumsticks to pumping and some hens even fly in from across the yard. He says ... buuuuck buuuuck buuuuuuck and it like whispering sweet nothings

they adore him with a can in his hand. All peeps get chick starter unless they were hatched by a broody and she takes over the menu and feeding decisions.