Scratch on Cold Days

[WestKnollAmy]

I feed scratch all year long, too. I mix it in with all the other grains I feed. If they start leaving something then the next time I mix a batch, I leave it out. They have taken a disliking to barley recently so I haven't bought any more. But they adore the oats as long as I soak them with ACV and water for a few days. DH says they get a buzz off of them, that is why they like it that way!

 

[crazyhen]

I feed scratch or cracked corn just before time to settle at night. It helps them through these cold nights. They say to hold that in the summer. I will probably give a little during the summer but not as much. Jean

 

[cheeps]

Giving scratch in the evening before bedtime is a great idea. I do mix in some with their laying mash but tonight I'm going to start giving it to them at night. I just put a scoop in their coop! Ha, I made a rhyme!

 

[farmgirlie1031]

The Amish guys where I buy our feed told me to add cracked corn to their diet in the winter to help them stay warmer. I think it's when it's hot that there is a problem with it as it heats up their bodies instead of when it's cold.

 

[Raising Reds]

I've been feeding my hens layers' mash since I got them late last summer and recently picked up the wrong bag at the Feed Store and bought scratch instead. I figured they would love the scratch since it looks more like real food but they've turned their respective noses up at it.

Now I've mixed the two together in the hopes that they'll get used to the scratch.

I remember my grandmother feeding her chickens scratch all the time. What gives with my birds being finicky?

 

[cheeps]

reds, I don't think it's a substitute for laying mash, it's like a treat. I mix both together for my babies. They love it though.

Once, I bought a certain store brands scratch and they hated it. I think they are just finicky, like you say!

 

[modenacart]

Scratch does not raise the bird's body temperature.

 

[L*A*G*]

Quote:
That is what i think.

 

[jeeperspeepers]

I feed mine laying crumbles. They are laying MACHINES!!!! "red and black sexlinks"

I sell eggs to offset the cost. I buy the good stuff from the co-op. It is so expensive. Can anyone tell me how to get it cheaper?

They eat a 100lb bag per week.

Also, is my roo going to have reproduction problems because of the layer feed?

 

[greyfields]

Body temperature is elevated by the consumption of startches, not carbs. Most cereals just tend to also have starch in them which is doing the real work.

There is some PhD animal feed dude on here who usually corrects us when we're wrong. I believe that's what he said the last time this question was asked.