scratch

[goldenchic]

what is scratch i see lots of posts advising scratch wot is scratch am a new chicken owner so new to me please advise?

 

[schmije]

It's a mix of corn and grains that you throw on the ground for the chickens to scratch up and eat. They love it, and it keeps them occupied. You can buy it in a big bag at any farm supply store. It'll be with the regular chicken feed. Scratch is meant to be used as a treat and not as their main feed.

 

[teach1rusl]

Hi again! Scratch is a cracked corn/wheat mixture that is kind of a treat for chickens. It evidently is pretty low in protein, so it's not advised to use as feed, just a treat. Most feed stores sell it. You can type "scratch" into the search window here on the forum site to find out more info. Mine love it when I throw out a handful for them to peck at. If I want them to come to me (to lure them in or out), I rattle a little in their treat cup and they come running...lol.

 

[michickenwrangler]

I went to TSC a few days ago, ran into an acquaintance who works there, we started talking about my chickens and he suddenly got a stricken look on his face and asked, "What do you feed them?"

"That" I said and pointed at the pallet of Purina Layena.

"You'd be surprised at how many people come in here and buy just scratch for their chickens and then come in saying that their chickens look bad or have thin shells on their eggs."

Find a good layer feed and then give scratch as a treat.

There are some other threads on her about mixing your own. I mix mine cracked corn, sunflower seeds and oats. Chickens lllooovvvee it but they always have their feeder full of layer feed too. They only get 2 cups of scratch a day, 3 or 4 if it's very cold

 

[lorrir]

I've added scratch now that it's getting colder, adds body fat.