Quick answer: These two products do different jobs, so it isn’t really either-or. Family Farm Scratch Grains is a treat that should make up only a small part of what your chickens eat. A non-GMO whole-grain layer blend is a complete feed that can be the whole diet. Buy the complete feed first, then add scratch as a snack if you like.
What Is Family Farm Chicken Feed?
Family Farm is a poultry feed line from Manna Pro. The two products people ask about most are:
- Family Farm Egg Maker 15 Crumbles: a complete layer crumble. The “15” refers to its 15% protein level.
- Family Farm Scratch Grains: a mix of grains sold in 10, 25 and 50 pound bags and listed by Manna Pro as a poultry treat.
Manna Pro also sells a 16% layer crumble with probiotics. Product lines change, so check what your local store actually stocks. For more on the brand, see our Manna Pro chicken feed overview.
Scratch Grains: A Treat, Not a Diet
Scratch is a mix of whole and cracked grains. Chickens love it, and scattering it on the ground gives them something to scratch and forage for. That is where the name comes from.
What scratch doesn’t have is balance. It is mostly carbohydrate. Protein is commonly only around 8% to 10%, roughly half what a layer feed provides, and it doesn’t carry the calcium, vitamins and minerals a laying hen needs.
Poultry extension specialists suggest these limits:
- Offer scratch in the afternoon, after the birds have eaten their regular feed.
- Give only as much as the flock can finish in 15 to 20 minutes.
- Keep scratch and other treats to about 10% of the total diet.
Hens that fill up on scratch eat less complete feed. Over time that can mean fewer eggs, thin shells and overweight birds. It will not improve egg production, whatever the bag implies.
We cover the topic in more depth in our guide to scratch grain feed for chickens.
Non-GMO Grain Blends: Read the Label First
“Non-GMO grain blend” can mean two very different things, and the tag on the bag tells you which one you have.
- A complete layer blend. These are whole-grain feeds with added protein, calcium, vitamins and minerals. The tag will say “complete feed” for laying hens and list around 16% protein. Homestead Harvest’s non-GMO whole grain layer blend is one widely sold example.
- A non-GMO scratch. This is still scratch. Non-GMO grains don’t turn a treat into a complete diet.
Keep in mind what the claim does and doesn’t cover. “Non-GMO” describes how the grains were grown. It says nothing about protein or calcium levels, and it isn’t the same as certified organic. If you want both, look for a feed that is USDA Certified Organic, such as the one in our Scratch and Peck chicken feed review.
Side by Side
| Family Farm Scratch Grains | Non-GMO whole-grain layer blend | |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Treat and foraging | Complete daily feed |
| Protein | Low | Around 16% |
| Added calcium for eggshells | No | Yes |
| How much to feed | About 10% of the diet or less | Free choice, all day |
| Can it be the only feed? | No | Yes |
A Tip for Whole-Grain Feeds
Whole-grain layer blends have one drawback. Hens pick out their favorite grains and leave the fine powder at the bottom of the feeder. That powder holds much of the protein, vitamins and minerals.
You can reduce the waste in a few ways:
- Wet the feed lightly or ferment it so the powder sticks to the grains.
- Let the birds clean up the feeder before you refill it.
- Switch to a pellet or crumble, such as Egg Maker, if sorting keeps happening.
How to Feed Your Flock
- Chicks: feed a starter until about 8 weeks, then a grower.
- Laying hens: switch to a layer feed at around 20 weeks, when the first eggs arrive. Layer feed should have at least 14% protein, and 16% is typical.
- Calcium: offer oyster shell in a separate dish if shells get thin.
- Grit: provide it whenever birds eat whole grains or scratch. Chickens have no teeth and need grit to grind grain.
- Water: keep it fresh and available all day.
- Storage: keep feed cool, dry and sealed against rodents and insects.
Which One Should You Buy?
If you can buy only one bag, make it a complete layer feed. A crumble like Egg Maker is the simplest choice. A non-GMO whole-grain blend is a good option if you prefer whole ingredients and don’t mind managing a little waste.
Add a small bag of Family Farm Scratch Grains if you want a treat for training your flock, keeping them busy or giving them a little extra energy on cold afternoons.
Bottom Line
Family Farm Scratch Grains is a fine treat, but it can’t replace a balanced feed. A non-GMO grain blend can, as long as the label says it is a complete layer feed. Feed the complete ration first, keep scratch to a handful in the afternoon, and your hens will get what they need to lay well.
This article is general information, not veterinary advice. If your birds seem unwell or stop laying suddenly, contact a poultry vet.
