Scratch

[flgardengirl]

How old do you start feeding scratch. Some of mine are 4 weeks is that too young?

 

[gryeyes]

Scratch is only for treats; it is not a full feed product. If you only feed chickens scratch, they will become malnourished. (It's basically like feeding your kids candy bars all day and no breakfast, lunch or dinner.)

 

[davidb]

I usually start mixing scratch in my chick feed at about 3 or 4 weeks old

 

[Southernbelle]

Sometimes I'd give scratch to a broody hen and she'd immediately call her day-old chicks over to have some! Just make sure you start offering grit, too.

 

[Akane]

Why would you mix it in the feed? Scratch is not very useful nutrition. You are only making it so they have to eat more feed to get what is required to grow or lay. Scratch is a treat and to help add a few calories in the winter. I wouldn't start feeding it until the chickens are closer to full grown. Although I don't even use scratch. I give my adults black oil sunflower seeds instead. Chicks need all the nutrition they can get to grow and feather out. There are plenty of other treats you can give to chicks like greens(provide grit) or yogurt that is actually useful. Anything that provides protein is also good just keep in mind most other foods require grit. If I were feeding scratch I'd wait until at least 8-10weeks when I put mine in the coop to let them have it but preferably if I had them seperate for longer I wouldn't give them any until 14-16weeks when they are nearly done growing and getting ready to or just starting to lay.

 

[flgardengirl]

Yes I know it is only a treat they are on Purina medicated Start & Grow. I was only asking if it was okay to give them scratch as a treat yet. Thanks

 

[canada-goose]

Go ahead and give them some! I don't think it'll hurt!

 

[Chris09]

A lot depends on what kind of "scratch" you get.
"Scratch" is a very generic name for a grain that can be tossed on the grown to make a bird "scratch" at the ground. it can be as simple as crack corn or a 15 grain mix.
For the most part the "scratch:" you will get at the feed mill will be a low protein (9%) high carbohydrate grain mix that is OK to feed as a treat.

I don't feed any "scratch" till I get my first egg from my pullets/hens and then I feed about 1 cup of "scratch" per 5 large fowl birds.
I feed a 16% protein scratch grain that I mix. Basically it is a 14% all grain pigeon feed with some extras I add in..
The 14% pigeon feed contains grains like ( AUSTRIAN PEAS, CANADIAN PEAS, MAPLE PEAS, MUNG BEANS, VETCH PEAS, POP CORN, LINSEED (Flax), MILLET, GROATS, BROWN RICE, SAFFLOWER, BLACK OILED SUNFLOWER SEED, BUCKWHEAT, WHEAT)
To the 14% pigeon feed I add BLACK RAPE SEED, HEMP SEED (Whole), GROUND UNSALTED PEANUTS

Chris

 

[flgardengirl]

Chris09, that sounds like a great mix. Your chickies are prob in heaven eating that. Where do you find the pigeon feed?

 

[Chris09]

Quote:
Most feed mills will have it.. Just let then know that you want the All Grain formula..

Chris