What should scratch contain or not contain?

[Altairsky]

Race pigeon food usually has a high protein profile and chickens love it

 

[gtaus]

I have composting chickens. I'll toss some scratch feed on areas that I want the chickens to scratch up more. Also, in the winter, I'll toss some scratch inside the coop in areas that I want them to turn over the deep bedding more.

I agree with others that consider scratch feed as chicken candy, not required, and no good in large amounts. We save all our kitchen scraps and unwanted leftovers for the chickens, and that is enough of a treat for them most days.

I live in northern Minnesota. I read in a few places that it was good for the chickens to have a little bit of cracked corn before roosting at night. The cracked corn helps them to raise their body heat before sleeping for the night. So, I switch from chicken scratch to straight cracked corn in the winter months when the chickens are basically living in the coop. It seems to work for me in that I have never lost a chicken to the cold in 4 winters. But, as far as I know, it might have no benefit at all. All I can really say is that the chickens love the cracked corn.

 

[FrostRanger]

I have composting chickens. I'll toss some scratch feed on areas that I want the chickens to scratch up more. Also, in the winter, I'll toss some scratch inside the coop in areas that I want them to turn over the deep bedding more.

I agree with others that consider scratch feed as chicken candy, not required, and no good in large amounts. We save all our kitchen scraps and unwanted leftovers for the chickens, and that is enough of a treat for them most days.

I live in northern Minnesota. I read in a few places that it was good for the chickens to have a little bit of cracked corn before roosting at night. The cracked corn helps them to raise their body heat before sleeping for the night. So, I switch from chicken scratch to straight cracked corn in the winter months when the chickens are basically living in the coop. It seems to work for me in that I have never lost a chicken to the cold in 4 winters. But, as far as I know, it might have no benefit at all. All I can really say is that the chickens love the cracked corn.

It's a myth that corn keeps them warm. If that was the case then regular chicken feed would be dangerous in summer since it's usually mainly corn

 

[FrostRanger]

I bought my first bag of scratch today because some hens are feeling too thin (docile) or low pecking order. I didn’t realize how hangry 15 layers could be.

A better solution would be to add more feeders so no one can resource guard. It also may be worth looking into the quality of your feed as well

 

[gtaus]

It's a myth that corn keeps them warm. If that was the case then regular chicken feed would be dangerous in summer since it's usually mainly corn

I give my chickens regular chicken feed in the mornings. In the non-snow months, I only feed them once per day. However, I have been giving the chickens some extra cracked corn before they roost for the night in the winter months. Not a lot, but a little.

Anyways, it might just be a myth that has been passed on forever. Since I was sure I had read giving chickens cracked corn before the night roosting was a good idea, I asked ChatGPT.com AI this question "I have a backyard flock of chickens. I read that it was good to give them some cracked corn in the evening, in the winter, because it helps them to produce more body heat for the night. Is this a myth or is there some truth to it?" and here is the response I got...

******

There is some truth to the idea that giving chickens cracked corn in the evening during winter can help them stay warm, but it's not a myth nor a miracle solution. Here's why it can be helpful:

- **Digestive heat**: Chickens generate body heat through the digestion process, known as "thermogenesis." Cracked corn is high in carbohydrates, which can take time to digest and, in turn, release heat as the body processes the food. Feeding them cracked corn before roosting gives them fuel to help them generate heat during the night.

- **Energy**: Corn is an energy-dense food that provides extra calories, which is important during colder months when chickens need more energy to maintain their body temperature.

However, there are a few things to keep in mind:
- **Balanced diet**: Corn should not replace a balanced layer feed. It should only be a supplement to their diet in moderation, as it lacks essential nutrients like protein, vitamins, and minerals.
- **Portion control**: Too much corn can lead to excess fat, which can affect the health and egg production of the chickens.

In summary, offering cracked corn in the evening during winter can help your chickens stay warm, but it should be given in moderation along with their regular feed.

*****

ChatGPT AI really only collects information from sources and gives you an answer. But I think it does a fair job of collecting and summarizing what information is out there.

FWIW, since this thread is about contents of scratch grain, I thought your point of regular feed being mostly corn was on point. Scratch feed is mostly corn, too.

Just for fun, I asked ChatGPT "What percentage of corn is used in regular chicken feed?" Here is the response I got....

*****

The percentage of corn used in regular chicken feed varies depending on the type of feed and the purpose of the feed (e.g., layer feed, broiler feed, starter feed, etc.), but generally, corn makes up a significant portion because it's a rich source of energy.

Here’s a typical breakdown for different types of chicken feed:

1. **Layer Feed (for egg-laying hens)**:
- Corn typically makes up **50-70%** of the feed. The rest is composed of proteins (soybean meal), vitamins, minerals, and other ingredients necessary for egg production.

2. **Broiler Feed (for meat chickens)**:
- Corn can also make up **60-70%** of broiler feed, as energy is crucial for rapid growth. Again, it is supplemented with proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals.

3. **Starter and Grower Feed (for chicks)**:
- In chick starter and grower feed, corn might be slightly lower, around **40-50%**, as these feeds often contain higher protein levels to support growth.

Corn provides carbohydrates and is an excellent source of energy, but it doesn't have enough protein, vitamins, or minerals to meet all nutritional needs, so it's always balanced with other ingredients like soybean meal and additives to ensure chickens stay healthy and productive.

*****

In the past, I have gone to our local feed store and asked them what percentages of grains they use in their chicken scratch. They were happy to provide me their "recipe" for their chicken scratch. It was about half cracked corn, IIRC. I did the math to see if I could save money buying the separate grains in 50# sacks and mixing my own. Unfortunately, the cost was the same, so it made no sense for me to buy full bags of grains and mix my own chicken scratch using their same recipe. If you want to customize your scratch, then it might make more sense to mix your own.

I have watched a number of YouTube videos on mixing your own chicken scratch. Most of them compare the cost of mixing your own or buying it mixed from a feed mill. They almost all say you can't save money mixing your own chicken scratch unless you have a source of free or low-priced grain. One guy on YouTube bartered some eggs for whole grains, so it made sense for him to mix his own scratch feed, for example.

I don't have the option of buying bulk grains, storing them, and mixing my own feed and scratch. I think you could save money that way if you could get bulk prices. Some people form a small community of chicken owners to purchase bulk grains at a discount, and then split the order among themselves. For my small backyard flock, a 50# bag of scratch will last a few months, or longer, and I don't have any need to buy in bulk.

 

[FrostRanger]

I give my chickens regular chicken feed in the mornings. In the non-snow months, I only feed them once per day. However, I have been giving the chickens some extra cracked corn before they roost for the night in the winter months. Not a lot, but a little.

Anyways, it might just be a myth that has been passed on forever. Since I was sure I had read giving chickens cracked corn before the night roosting was a good idea, I asked ChatGPT.com AI this question "I have a backyard flock of chickens. I read that it was good to give them some cracked corn in the evening, in the winter, because it helps them to produce more body heat for the night. Is this a myth or is there some truth to it?" and here is the response I got...

******

There is some truth to the idea that giving chickens cracked corn in the evening during winter can help them stay warm, but it's not a myth nor a miracle solution. Here's why it can be helpful:

- **Digestive heat**: Chickens generate body heat through the digestion process, known as "thermogenesis." Cracked corn is high in carbohydrates, which can take time to digest and, in turn, release heat as the body processes the food. Feeding them cracked corn before roosting gives them fuel to help them generate heat during the night.

- **Energy**: Corn is an energy-dense food that provides extra calories, which is important during colder months when chickens need more energy to maintain their body temperature.

However, there are a few things to keep in mind:
- **Balanced diet**: Corn should not replace a balanced layer feed. It should only be a supplement to their diet in moderation, as it lacks essential nutrients like protein, vitamins, and minerals.
- **Portion control**: Too much corn can lead to excess fat, which can affect the health and egg production of the chickens.

In summary, offering cracked corn in the evening during winter can help your chickens stay warm, but it should be given in moderation along with their regular feed.

*****

ChatGPT AI really only collects information from sources and gives you an answer. But I think it does a fair job of collecting and summarizing what information is out there.

FWIW, since this thread is about contents of scratch grain, I thought your point of regular feed being mostly corn was on point. Scratch feed is mostly corn, too.

Just for fun, I asked ChatGPT "What percentage of corn is used in regular chicken feed?" Here is the response I got....

*****

The percentage of corn used in regular chicken feed varies depending on the type of feed and the purpose of the feed (e.g., layer feed, broiler feed, starter feed, etc.), but generally, corn makes up a significant portion because it's a rich source of energy.

Here’s a typical breakdown for different types of chicken feed:

1. **Layer Feed (for egg-laying hens)**:
- Corn typically makes up **50-70%** of the feed. The rest is composed of proteins (soybean meal), vitamins, minerals, and other ingredients necessary for egg production.

2. **Broiler Feed (for meat chickens)**:
- Corn can also make up **60-70%** of broiler feed, as energy is crucial for rapid growth. Again, it is supplemented with proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals.

3. **Starter and Grower Feed (for chicks)**:
- In chick starter and grower feed, corn might be slightly lower, around **40-50%**, as these feeds often contain higher protein levels to support growth.

Corn provides carbohydrates and is an excellent source of energy, but it doesn't have enough protein, vitamins, or minerals to meet all nutritional needs, so it's always balanced with other ingredients like soybean meal and additives to ensure chickens stay healthy and productive.

*****

In the past, I have gone to our local feed store and asked them what percentages of grains they use in their chicken scratch. They were happy to provide me their "recipe" for their chicken scratch. It was about half cracked corn, IIRC. I did the math to see if I could save money buying the separate grains in 50# sacks and mixing my own. Unfortunately, the cost was the same, so it made no sense for me to buy full bags of grains and mix my own chicken scratch using their same recipe. If you want to customize your scratch, then it might make more sense to mix your own.

I have watched a number of YouTube videos on mixing your own chicken scratch. Most of them compare the cost of mixing your own or buying it mixed from a feed mill. They almost all say you can't save money mixing your own chicken scratch unless you have a source of free or low-priced grain. One guy on YouTube bartered some eggs for whole grains, so it made sense for him to mix his own scratch feed, for example.

I don't have the option of buying bulk grains, storing them, and mixing my own feed and scratch. I think you could save money that way if you could get bulk prices. Some people form a small community of chicken owners to purchase bulk grains at a discount, and then split the order among themselves. For my small backyard flock, a 50# bag of scratch will last a few months, or longer, and I don't have any need to buy in bulk.

Thing is as well is the feed will lose its nutritional value in a matter of months. I think it takes longer for whole grains, but I do think making your own feed is impractical for most small flock owners, especially if you don't have a grain elevator nearby. A better solution to preventing deaths from the cold is good coop design. That'll do a far better job of keeping them warm than food. Yes, digestion generates warmth but not a significant amount. I'd make sure your coop is draft free yet well ventilated and dry and since you feed them set meals (which given chickens' usual behavior I'd up that to 3-4 times a day as once a day isn't ideal for chickens) I'd simply increase their rations and not worry about giving them corn or scratch

 

[gtaus]

A better solution would be to add more feeders so no one can resource guard. It also may be worth looking into the quality of your feed as well

Another solution is to have one feeder, that never empties out, so the chickens know they can eat whenever they want/need. That leads to everyone getting what they need with nobody guarding the feeder and driving others away. In my case, I have a 5-gallon PVC bucket feeder hanging in the coop with feed in it all the time. I never see any fighting for food. In fact, my feeder has 4 PVC feeding spots and I rarely see more than 2 chickens at a time at the feeder.

Here is a Google picture of closeup of my type of hanging feeder...

They are easy to make and I find they reduce waste. Here is a picture of the working end of my coop. I took this picture when working on a different project, but you can see the 5-gallon PVC bucket feeder hanging down...

Having commercial feed available 24/7 has reduced the tension among the girls in my coop. I toss the chicken scratch and kitchen scraps out into the run, and there they will fight for the limited treats. Commercial feed might be boring, but it's really all they need for a healthy diet.

 

[FrostRanger]

Another solution is to have one feeder, that never empties out, so the chickens know they can eat whenever they want/need. That leads to everyone getting what they need with nobody guarding the feeder and driving others away. In my case, I have a 5-gallon PVC bucket feeder hanging in the coop with feed in it all the time. I never see any fighting for food. In fact, my feeder has 4 PVC feeding spots and I rarely see more than 2 chickens at a time at the feeder.

Here is a Google picture of closeup of my type of hanging feeder...

View attachment 3967121

They are easy to make and I find they reduce waste. Here is a picture of the working end of my coop. I took this picture when working on a different project, but you can see the 5-gallon PVC bucket feeder hanging down...

View attachment 3967122

Having commercial feed available 24/7 has reduced the tension among the girls in my coop. I toss the chicken scratch and kitchen scraps out into the run, and there they will fight for the limited treats. Commercial feed might be boring, but it's really all they need for a healthy diet.

Yes, free feeding is best, but I do know some people feed meals because they have issues with rodents or other pests. Fortunately the stray cats I feed do a great job of rodent control and I myself use bucket port feeders. Just be mindful that scratch and other treats should make up no more than 10% of their diet

 

[gtaus]

Thing is as well is the feed will lose its nutritional value in a matter of months. I think it takes longer for whole grains, but I do think making your own feed is impractical for most small flock owners, especially if you don't have a grain elevator nearby. A better solution to preventing deaths from the cold is good coop design. That'll do a far better job of keeping them warm than food. Yes, digestion generates warmth but not a significant amount. I'd make sure your coop is draft free yet well ventilated and dry and since you feed them set meals (which given chickens' usual behavior I'd up that to 3-4 times a day as once a day isn't ideal for chickens) I'd simply increase their rations and not worry about giving them corn or scratch

I agree. Only difference is that I use a 5-gallon bucket feeder with commercial feed available 24/7 in the coop. I let them self-ration their needs. Of course, they eat more in the winter.

Plus, in the winter, my metal water fount sits on a base heater. The water might not be warm in the winter, but it never freezes. IMHO, fresh water is the most important thing, and I check on that at least twice a day in the snow months.

Since I want the chickens to mainly eat commercial feed in the cold winter months, I don't give them scratch in the mornings. Instead, I toss some cracked corn in the coop in the evening shortly before they roost for the night.

 

[FrostRanger]

I myself don't feed much scratch BTW. I brought a 10lb bag in June of last year and there's still maybe a fifth of a bag left. The girls honestly don't get many treats from me, if I need to round them up I can usually herd them back in their coop by walking behind them with my arms outstretched. Main treats I give them are the occasional cabbage or fruit or vegetable scraps (plus the random pieces of cat food I or the cats drop).