Scratch n Peck Feed

[Ma_biscuit]

So I'm using Scratch n Peck Grower feed right now for my pullets. Does anyone else here use this brand?? I'm trying to decided which layer formula I should use when it's time to switch. 16% protein or 18% protein?? They both say they have calcium but do I need to supplement oyster shell too? Also, I see they have a Layer pellet with Grubs. Has anyone tried it? I have 4 hens. A Golden Sex-link, a Black Sex link, a Rhode Island Red and a Speckled Sussex. My sex links are supposed to be very productive layers so does the amount of protein make a difference or is the calcium more important?

 

[cherrynberry]

So I'm using Scratch n Peck Grower feed right now for my pullets. Does anyone else here use this brand?? I'm trying to decided which layer formula I should use when it's time to switch. 16% protein or 18% protein?? They both say they have calcium but do I need to supplement oyster shell too? Also, I see they have a Layer pellet with Grubs. Has anyone tried it? I have 4 hens. A Golden Sex-link, a Black Sex link, a Rhode Island Red and a Speckled Sussex. My sex links are supposed to be very productive layers so does the amount of protein make a difference or is the calcium more important?

I would use 18% protein. I personally use purina. Scratch and peck feed is quite expensive. Always just leave some oyster shells (they use it slowly and it’s cheap) (I just learned this from people on BYC myself)

 

[rosemarythyme]

They have 18% layer? If that's an option, I'd go with that.

I wanted to try the pellets but it's even more expensive than their regular feed, so no thanks.

Do you ferment the grower feed? If not, best to look into that, to ensure the birds eat all the components of the feed as the powdery fines contain most of the vitamins and protein.

Best to still offer oyster shell on the side, as some birds have a higher calcium need than others, so that will help them fill that need.

 

[moawahine]

My girls are on their grower feed atm but interested in what others are feeding their layers!

 

[Orpingtons Mom]

I feed S&P feed and I won’t feed anything else. In choosing a feed the most important thing is reading the ingredients.

I am continuing to feed the grower to all my chickens, except the bebes. I have an area where I’ve dumped 40 lbs of grit and 40 lbs of oyster shell. When I let them out in the morning, they all stop there before continuing on their way. I don’t want to feed layer as I have roosters.

I have never had an egg—even a first one—that doesn’t have a good strong shell.

Huge caveat: this works for me, but I am definitely a novice chicken person.

 

[Ma_biscuit]

They have 18% layer? If that's an option, I'd go with that.

I wanted to try the pellets but it's even more expensive than their regular feed, so no thanks.

Do you ferment the grower feed? If not, best to look into that, to ensure the birds eat all the components of the feed as the powdery fines contain most of the vitamins and protein.

Best to still offer oyster shell on the side, as some birds have a higher calcium need than others, so that will help them fill that need.

I haven’t tried fermenting yet but I do offer the feed dry all day in feeder and I also mix up a bowl with water and herbs to make a mash and give that to them daily as well. They love to have both and it also makes all the small particles stick together so they are getting it all.

 

[Ma_biscuit]

I feed S&P feed and I won’t feed anything else. In choosing a feed the most important thing is reading the ingredients.

I am continuing to feed the grower to all my chickens, except the bebes. I have an area where I’ve dumped 40 lbs of grit and 40 lbs of oyster shell. When I let them out in the morning, they all stop there before continuing on their way. I don’t want to feed layer as I have roosters.

I have never had an egg—even a first one—that doesn’t have a good strong shell.

Huge caveat: this works for me, but I am definitely a novice chicken person.

I’ve actually considered just continuing the grower feed and offering oyster shell separately just because not all hens start laying at the exact same time so I don’t want to offer too much calcium to ones that aren’t ready to lay yet. I only have 4 hens. I think I will wait to start layer feed until I know all 4 are actually laying but I will put oyster shell down as soon as the first one starts laying.

 

[fatcatx]

I don’t have much luck feeding S&P dry. They tend to leave all the supplements behind and eat the grain. I love it for fermenting feed though. Once fermented they eat so much less it is almost as economical as org pellets (not S&P brand) plus better for them. I alternate between 16 & 18. We get pretty hot in summer which tends to make them eat less so 18% during hot months and 16% the rest of the year. When weather is bad I confess I stick to the pellets so I’m not slogging feed to them in the mud/rain.

 

[Brenda Jones]

I use the Scratch & Peck layer feed 16% as well as the layer pellets with grubs also 16%. My girls free range also. So I think they get plenty of protein... I have an issue with one of mine getting too much protein and laying enormous eggs (nearly 4 oz. >100 grams). I ferment the whole grains and make a mash of the pellets.... my 3 girls are VERY picky and they love their food the way I prepare it, they won't eat it dry. It is far too hard for them if it is not wet or fermented. I tried feeding it dry and they wouldn't touch it. I feed my girls1/2 cup of the pellets and add hot water to soak it and about 1/2 -3/4 cup of the fermented grains (separate dishes)... it lasts them 2 days (I toss it after that... but there is usually less than a tablespoon left of either food). Even though I use the layer feed for my girls I still leave oyster/ egg shells out for them to eat if they need it. I also leave grit out, they don't hardly ever take that. I also add herbs on occasion, and am in the process of planting chicken grasses for their yard. They get free reign in my garden as I haven't planted this year yet.

 

[Henhouse Harlot]

They have 18% layer? If that's an option, I'd go with that.

I wanted to try the pellets but it's even more expensive than their regular feed, so no thanks.

Do you ferment the grower feed? If not, best to look into that, to ensure the birds eat all the components of the feed as the powdery fines contain most of the vitamins and protein.

Best to still offer oyster shell on the side, as some birds have a higher calcium need than others, so that will help them fill that need.

Scratch and Peck is my favorite!!

It is these days, anyhow. Their whole grain layer feed WAS the bane of my existence.....until I started to ferment it.
Before, my girls would pick and choose the yummy bits out, leaving all the "fine" (and needed nutrients), behind in the pan.
Frustrating!
When it's been fermented though, they HAVE to eat it all. Ha!
Scratch & Peck's "layer pellets with grub protein" are definitely my favorite for laying hens, if you don't want to mess with the fermentation... Wayyyyy less waste! Fermenting chicken food is super simple to do, I'm even making it for my baby chicks right now, using Scratch and Peck's chick starter. They prefer the fermented food (BY FAR!!!), it's always a mad dash when I feed them! It is absolutely gorgeous stuff, just be sure to offer them grit alongside!! (I feed free-choice dry chick starter, and the fermented feed in the morning. Hard to get amounts right for growing babies!)
I'm pretty sure there are fantastic directions for fermenting on BYC, but I'll write down my personal experience with it later anyhow! I learned one thing pretty quickly, it requires someplace that's warm, like in the kitchen. NOT outside on the porch in February...
_Grit + oyster shells should always be available to GROWN* chickens!_

*Calcium fed to chickens under the age of about 18wks (I just wait until their first egg, about 16-18wks.. before that, I feed Grower + free-range pasture. ) can, and likely will, cause kidney failure.
Note! If you run out of Chick Starter, it's better to feed cornmeal ground with oats, rather than Layer feed.