Summer vs winter scratch??

[LtDanFan]

I am looking at changing up my feeding routine. I currently have a mixed age flock and a single rooster with plans to add more youngins to the mix this year but not necessarily keep more than one roo. Right now i am feeding a high protein all flock with oyster shells free choice along with their own egg shells and cooked or raw eggs on occasion. They also get a head of cabbage or two every several weeks, any leftover greens, bell peppers, hot peppers, mild peppers, pumpkin, squashes, etc.
My thought was to feed the all flock feed all year around in the feeders, and spread the hi pro scratch and bugs for them in the colder months switching to a layer feed (spread around as a scratch) during the more daylight-y months.
I have 2 stations for free choice oyster shells available in the 400sqft chicken yard and can add more if necessary.
Thoughts on feeding a layer mash as scratch with oyster shells and all flock feed in the feeders?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I personally would not throw a mash on the ground as it can mold quickly, and birds won't clean it up as efficiently as scratch grains and bugs.

 

[FrostRanger]

I'd just stick with the all flock and the layer as scratch year round. Regular scratch keeping birds warm in winter is a myth. That's pretty much how I am feeding my flock nowadays (although I ferment the whole grain layer mash)

 

[ABQ chicken keeper]

I personally would not throw a mash on the ground as it can mold quickly, and birds won't clean it up as efficiently as scratch grains and bugs.

I agree why throw feed on the ground, chickens will scratch around just for .... well anything to do. Give them a head of cabbage every week to keep them busy.

 

[FrostRanger]

I personally would not throw a mash on the ground as it can mold quickly, and birds won't clean it up as efficiently as scratch grains and bugs.

I agree why throw feed on the ground, chickens will scratch around just for .... well anything to do. Give them a head of cabbage every week to keep them busy.

They could be speaking of something like kalmbach henhouse reserve which looks a lot like traditional scratch

 

[Ridgerunner]

Thoughts on feeding a layer mash as scratch with oyster shells and all flock feed in the feeders?

A waste. They simply do not need the layer feed. The All Flock will supply all of the nutrients they need except calcium for any that are laying and the oyster shell will supply calcium to the ones that need it.

Layer Mash will also provide all the nutrients they need, including calcium. As long as it is kept to a small percentage of their daily food it should not provide enough calcium to harm your non-laying chickens. I don't think you will harm them by offering it as a treat if they will actually eat it.

I like things simple. I don't see a benefit to working harder than I need to or making things more complicated than they have to be. I do not see any benefits to buying, storing, or feeding Layer mash like this so I would not do it.