scratch.. am I feeding them too much?

[Kacey's Krazee's]

I have 24 birds, and they are 17 weeks as of Monday. I am not expecting the girls to lay eggs right now, as I don't think they are mature enough yet. My question is
the amount of scratch I feed them. I have read here, that scratch is actually not benefical to them. That if fed too much, will lower the protein that you are providing to them in their feed. I put scratch out to the girls daily. and I give them approximately 2.5 cups daily. I do give them other treats as well, but since they are now getting older, they have become more protein based than before. ( But it is so much fun to watch them with cooked spaghetti!! ) The additional treats are not daily, but maybe 3 or 4 times a week. Last week, I put them on Layena Crumbles from Purina. I don't think I am affecting their health, protein wise, as they are looking very beautiful with shiny feathers, and bright eyes, but want to get an idea if I am giving them too much.

Thanks!

 

[cafarmgirl]

I don't think 2.5 cups per day for 24 birds is too much. I toss out about a cup to my 8 birds each morning. I do this after they have been out and about for a while and have eaten some of the layer feed. I also do other healthy treats the same as you, 3 or 4 times a week. I've always done this, mine will be 9 months old Jan. 1st and I'm getting an egg a day from each of my layers.

 

[Imp]

I agree with cafarmgirl. It's not too much.

Imp

 

[PrinceSandwich]

I mix hen scratch with layer crumble and feed that to them as their main diet. I didn't know scratch was bad for them in large amounts

 

[BarredBuff]

I have an old dog bowl I fill up with scratch for my brood everyday and they are fine with large eggs

 

[Hozer]

Quote:
I tried that and it was a disaster. The hens billed out the layer feed to get to the scratch morsels...kinda like a kid pouring out the cereal to get to the prize. I thought, "Why are they wasting their food so much?" I stopped adding it and they aren't billing out their food near as much.

 

[bigoakhunter]

I give my eleven hens 2 cups of scratch. About every other day. Or every day when the temps are getting below 20 degrees at night. They seem fine and love the scratch, in the late afternoon before heading into the coop.

 

[PandoraTaylor]

I give scratch Daily......

I don't mix it with anything, they have a feeder for it as well as a feeder for their pellets.
I have oystershell and grit in bowls in the coop as well.

 

[fiberart57]

I give mine a homemade mix about an hour before dark so they go to sleep with a full crop. For my six standards I'll through out about 3/4 cup and there's usually a few grains left for the next morning's pre-breakfast snack.

Mary

 

[savingdogs]

We have 18 birds and are putting out about two to four cups of scratch every day or every other day. We also give them black sunflower seeds. They look healthy and are laying great!