Scratch and peck feed... Good or bad

[lindy]

So I found out that my local feed store is selling scratch and peck starter and layer.
I am currently feeding game bird purina with free choice grit, oyster shell. They don't seem to do well. Having problems with soft shells. Not feeding anything else.

They are silkies. I was told to give them higher protein so should I try the starter NF 21 percent? It's higher in price at $32 for 40 pounds.
The layer is 16.5 percent at $28 for 40 pounds. This feed will cost quite a bit more but if it is that much better ,then I will feed it.

Is there anything I can add to up the protein level? I have 12 silkies with two new chicks that are leghorns(family wanted egg layers, they are being raised by a silkie so hopefully they will get along later in life)

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

I use organic chick starter myself (20% protein) and cut it with grains/seeds as desired. I do mix my oyster shells into the feed as I get soft shells if I just offer it free choice. I am paying $28 or so for 40 lb bags of it but when I cut with grains/seeds my cost goes down.

I haven't tried scratch n peck feed so cannot say how it is.

 

[lindy]

Thank you, how much do you add, they sell a scratch also I believe it's 3grain. $24 for 40 pounds.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Thank you, how much do you add, they sell a scratch also I believe it's 3grain. $24 for 40 pounds.

For the oyster shell I add about one cup per large bucket full (those horse buckets). Here is some info:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/686717/should-i-put-oyster-shell-and-grit-in-my-hens-food
see post #10 by me

 

[karlamaria]

Im sad to say scratch and peck is no longer worth the price. I have noticed more and more powder in there feed , and today i literally sifter over 19 pounds of powder out of a 40 pound bag . I filled two ten pound feeders and what was left over was powder, nothing more then a bin full of powder ! When you spend over 27.00 and get only two ten pound feeders from a 40 lb bag its clearly a waste of money. I noticed more and more powder in the feed over the last year, and today when i opened up a new bag i was shocked at how much powder was in it. Sorry azure Standard, you get an F on quality for price paid. I buy 5 bags a month, what im getting for my buck is not much ! , !

 

[barkinghills]

I am really happy with the Big Sky organic mash that I get from Azure Standard. I think it is pretty similar in price to Scratch and Peck. I lightly mix it with water to moisten the particles, and they gobble it all up. My flock is doing very well. I can not afford to feed strictly the Big Sky because I have a flock of 45-plus, so I feed 3-4 feeders of CHS Payback Layer Pellet (17%) mixed with All-Purpose Poultry Pellet (19% protein), then one large bowl of the Big Sky layer mash.