Only feed in feeder or added corn and/or grains?

Adding corn or "scratch" will only lower protein levels

 

I give anything other than feed separately. Otherwise they dig through the feeder looking for the goodies.

Sunflower seed is higher in protein than corn or even layer feed. It's also one of the better plant sources of methionine, which they need the most when molting. I think it's good to mix into scratch or offer on it's own.

 

Quote:That's what I do - mix boss in with my scratch. I still use it as a treat, but figure it's a slightly "better for them" treat than scratch alone... And no, mine is never mixed in with their real food/feed.

 

I add a little whole corn to my layer feed in the late fall/winter....I feed it to my chickens, ducks, geese....They do eat the corn first ( I dont use feeders, just pour right on the ground in a big strip) but they also eat all their layer pellets. Mine also free range all day from 7am until dark and only get fed once a day excluding breeding birds, babies etc. and it has worked out really well for me, I get tons of eggs, none of my birds are fat, everyone is at a healthy weight...

 

Quote:X2

Grit separate, oyster shell separate, grains and treats separate.
I've always made my own scratch. I buy a bag of BOSS and a sack of oats, next time I'll buy a sack of wheat or barley. It's cheaper than buying scratch and all they do is mix grains that are available and cheap. I can do that myself.