Scratch feed: Is it just a waste of $$?

[jmc]

As you know, scratch feed is NOT a nutritionally balanced thing. If I am giving my little babies a nutritionally balance feed, why should I spend money on scratch, since about all they'll get out of it is some exercise when one tosses it into the coop, e.g. I can think of better ways--at least in the warm months--to have my little ones get exercise: and it costs no $$!

Big BYC bros and sisses, comments???

 

[GaDawg]

sounds good to me...
i got several bags for free, but still saving it for winter.

 

[thechickenchick]

I never thought of it that way. I do give it to mine but not very often. I guess I rate it up there with dog treats. They arn't necesary either, but it sure makes them happy! I am curious to hear some other opinions on this.

 

[arlee453]

Yep... doggie treats is a good way to put it - a handful now and again for them to scratch around after makes them happy and gives them exercise too, so it's not entirely a waste - especially if you have chickens that are confined all the time to a run where they don't have lot to scratch for.

 

[Break an Egg]

What about in the winter? I thought it helps to keep them warm.

I know it's the hottest month in the year and I'm in Texas, but I can't wait to say that I'm going to buy some scratch. lol

 

[rooster-red]

I feed it as a treat in warm months, a 50# bag lasts about 2- 2 1/2 months in warm weather, in winter we use a bag a month, helps keep them warm at night if you feed right before dusk.

 

[coffeelady3]

As far as treats go, it's pretty inexpensive. Just don't buy so much and use it sparingly. I paid about $3 for a 10 lb bag, and it's going to last me forever! Whereas one watermelon cost me well over $3 and will only last a week at most. I'd say that's pretty cost efficient.

 

[LoneCowboy]

That is a good point one the scratch, but I try to find something to keep them from being bored in the winter. They tend to pick at each other if I don't.

However, I had a thought. I read the latest Backyard Poultry Mag. and it suggests laying down hay in the run and leaves and something else and letting your chickens scratch through it and turn it and poop in it and in about a year it makes good soil. I was thinking it might be a good busy thing for them to do picking for those hay seeds. Would be cheaper than scratch.

 

[Barnyard Dawg]

Never feed our chickens scratch feed.

 

[chicksgalore]

I don't feed my chickens "scratch feed" but I do let them scratch for their "real feed". I started buying pellets instead of crumble so it's easier to find and then I can scatter it over a larger area for more chickens (so they're not clamoring at the feeder) and it gives them exercise/something to do. I still sometimes put some in a feeder and they seem to prefer to scratch as they always go to this last.