I was told on here that it is ok as a treat but really should not be given in large amounts...it is like candy for them and not good for nutrional value....my ladies love it and I used it for my teenagers to coax them into their coop...but otherwise just as a treat for them
Just a treat sometimes. I only use scratch when I want to bribe them to a new pen or something along those lines.
A general guideline is that no more than 10% of the diet should be treats. Some folks in hot, humid climates only feed scratch in the cold months, since it helps the birds keep warm.
Varies by how it's stored and how fresh it is. Try to choose a cool dry place and keep it well sealed, as in a garbage can. I've had them last quite a while. Just give it a sniff now and then for an "off" smell.