What's the difference between "Scratch & Grain" and "Purina Layena layer pellets"?

[jimmywalt]

This poultry scratch & grain seems pretty cheap compared to the Purina Layena layer pellets that I usually purchase.

So what is the difference????

https://www.familyfarmandhome.com/inet/storefront/store.php?mode=showproductdetail&product=5569

 

[Kelsie2290]

Scratch grains are usually a lot lower in protein than complete feeds like Layer Feeds. They are meant as a supplement/treat and usually say on the bag they should not comprise more than 10% of the diet.

 

[Den in Penn]

Scratch grains also don't have the nutrients added to the complete feeds.

 

[jimmywalt]

Thank you!

So it's better to just skip the scratch and instead spend the money on the layer pellets I guess.

Thank you again!

 

[Eggcessive]

Yes, layer pellets or crumbles are 16% protein, while flock raiser or chick crumbles are 20%, and many scratch grains are just 8%.

 

[yyz0yyz0]

Think of Scratch grains as a treat, like candy is to humans. It's not meant as a feed so much as a treat.

I have 7 birds that are 6 months old, I use the scratch grain mix whenever I want to get them away from an area of the yard or back in their run. In the beginning I would shake the jar of scratch grains and yell "SCRATCH". Now I can just yell it and don't even have to shake the jar, it's so funny to see them all come running when they hear me. Needless to say they love it, I bought some from TS and added BOSS and Niger seed that I from wild bird feeding to stretch it further.

Mine have layer pellets available to them 24/7, but only get small amounts of scratch a day. Some days they don't get any scratch.