what is the importance of SCRATCH in a chickens diet??

[Chris09]

Scratch Grain for the most part is any grain or mixture of grain that is pitched on the ground to encourage scratching of the ground.
It is mostly used as a treat and should for the most part be feed separate from there sole feed (example - there Layer feed). Scratch should not exceed 40% of there diet when feeding a high protein feed. (Sole feed 20% protein or better) You may start feeding Scratch Grain at around 12 weeks of age.
Scratch will also very in quality, nutrition, ingredients, it may be as simple as whole corn or as complex as a 14 grain mixture and can range from 8% protein to 20% protein.
I used in the past a all grain pigeon feed that contained Popcorn, Whole Milo, Canadian Peas, Whole Wheat, Maple Peas, Austrian Peas, Oat Groats as of now I feed a mixture of Corn, Oats, Wheat and Black Oil Sunflower Seed.


Chris

 

[southerndesert]

Quote:
Well that is well explained and all I can really add is a X-2

Our scratch mix method is almost identical we start with a #50 bag and mix in the other ingredients in the storage container adding extra protien when we feel it is needed....

We use it as a small part of their main diet which consists of layer pellets and free range....

 

[PHILMAN]

Quote:
Shell on. They just swallow them whole.

Thanks ! I think I have a bag . I wasnt sure about the shell .