Pellets vs Scratch

[Newchickadee30]

Hello,
New to chickens here.
We have layers that are 7 months old.
According to the feed brand I purchased (Hi pro) it says for la this age to feed 50% layers scratch and 50% layers pellets (16% protein)
My hens are going nut for the scratch though and leaving the pellets.
I feel by them not eating the pellets they are missing out on certain nutrients? Maybe they prefer the crumble form?

 

[Rainwing]

I never feed them scratch first, I feed them pellets in the morning and then they can have scratch once they eat all of their pellets.

if it's combined then they'll probably eat the pellets left behind later on if they're in a dish. My hens seemed to like scratch more than pellets but they'd fill their entire crop with pellets if it was available. pouring out too much will lead to the hens not being hungry, and leaving the pellets to waste because they are full of scratch.

 

[GC-Raptor]

layers scratch

I've never heard of Layers scratch.
A picture of the analysis tag and the feed please.
Did you mean Layers crumble?

layers pellets (16% protein)

This should make up 90% of consumption.

The Scratch should be scattered in their pen as a treat. 2 Tablespoons daily for each chicken. Half that for Bantams. I give half the Scratch twice daily, mid-morning and early afternoon.

I feed a Crumble feed.
. Always available in a hanging feeder.

The Scratch Grains.
. The twice daily treat scattered around their pen.
My hens enjoying themselves looking for the Scratch. . GC

 

[Dmaggot]

Believe it or not obesity in backyard chickens is becoming a real issue. My poultry vet said to limit treats like scratch to 2Tbp per every bag of feed. That’s not much when you think about it. Maybe try these treats instead - they are more nutritionally balanced than scratch and other chicken treats.

 

[Mtnboomer]

Scratch is a treat i give my free range flock once a week and never as regular food source. They get layer pellets or flock raiser pellets for the roosters (kept separate until butchering)

 

[Newchickadee30]

Thank you everyone! Glad I asked!! I was giving it way too much! The site says it to be 50/50 with their crumble/pellets.
https://www.hiprofeeds.com/products/chicken-scratch-50-lb/

 

[NewChkinTown]

Is Scratch something they should be getting? Is it ok to never give it to them and do veggies and such as treats instead?

 

[GC-Raptor]

Is Scratch something they should be getting? Is it ok to never give it to them and do veggies and such as treats instead?

Scratch Grains are a junk food, no need to give.
I give as a treat daily, 2 Tablespoons per Chicken maximum, half that for Bantams.
If you give to much, egg production and quality of eggs can suffer, it happened to me with my first Flock. GC

 

[NatJ]

Thank you everyone! Glad I asked!! I was giving it way too much! The site says it to be 50/50 with their crumble/pellets.
https://www.hiprofeeds.com/products/chicken-scratch-50-lb/

That page has feeding directions:

For laying chickens: Mix 1 part scratch and 1 part Hi-Pro 20% Layer Ration.

For young chickens, ducks, turkeys: Mix 1/3 scratch and 2/3 Hi-Pro 20% Layer Ration to provide a 16% crude protein diet. Mix ¼ scratch and ¾ Hi-Pro 20% Layer Ration to provide a 17% crude protein diet.

So it should NOT be fed with the 16% protein layer feed you have, but it's OK to mix it with a higher-protein feed (which they also sell.)

 

[springchick91]

when i had a bigger flock we had a scoop that we did like ever 2 days that we scooped then flung in there outside run area.