Chicken scratch is a mix of grains and seeds enjoyed as treats by chickens as treats, much like junk food for humans. As with all treats given to flocks of hens, however, its consumption should be strictly limited and in moderation.
Scratch should never replace regular layer feed as too much scratch may result in vitamin and mineral deficiencies among your flock.
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It’s a Treat
Chicken scratch feed may seem appealing to many people, but in reality it should not be fed to your flock. Consisting mainly of cleaned grains high in carbohydrates which quickly turn to fat when digested by chickens, it does not provide them with protein or other necessary nutrients necessary for their balanced nutrition.
Scratch mix is a blend of various seeds and grains, such as cracked corn, barley, wheat oats oats and sunflower seeds. Its origin can be traced to farmers throwing away any uneaten grains or seeds to their flocks to enjoy as food.
Chick starter can be beneficial during the first ten weeks of their lives; however, when they become old enough to digest it you should switch them over to scratch feedings as soon as they’re old enough to do so. This will give them something tasty while also helping prevent boredom in their coop and any related health or egg production issues that might otherwise arise.
It’s a Fun Activity
Scratch grains provide chickens with a rewarding activity to promote movement and help them produce energy to stay warm during cold weather. In addition, scratch grains serve as great motivational rewards when training or building trust within your flock.
Hens love foraging for scratch in their yard or coop. A popular mix includes cracked or rolled corn, barley, millet, oats, wheat sunflower seeds and milo. You can create your own scratch blend using ingredients on hand or purchase one premixed from your feed store.
Chicken scratch is considered junk food and should only be fed in moderation to your laying hens, since it does not provide them with adequate nutritional needs for egg production and health. Too much chicken scratch can lead to weight gain, longer molt cycles, and an overall decrease in egg production during summer months.
It’s a Training Aid
Many people use chicken scratch as a training aid, in order to build trust between themselves and their flock. This method is especially popular with those raising chickens for display or egg production; rewards like chicken scratch are very effective methods just as treats used by dog trainers can be.
Scratch is simply a mixture of grains and seeds (mostly cracked corn) which are sprinkled out for chickens to nibble at as part of their natural foraging behavior, providing an energy boost as well as vitamins and minerals to their flock.
Scratch should never replace a chicken’s main diet; rather, it should only be fed occasionally during cold winter months to help ensure they get enough balanced nutrients to stay healthy. When feeding too much scratch to chickens, their weight could skyrocket if their nutrition intake falls short; you can gauge their body condition, feather appearance, comb color and egg quality to determine whether their regular feed provides them with enough nutritional balance.
It’s a Supplement
Your chickens may enjoy some chicken scratch as an addition to their regular feed, which not only promotes foraging but can keep the flock entertained! While not a replacement food source, chicken scratch can help encourage foraging and keep your flock happy!
Chicken scratch likely originated with early farmers who would toss away extra or spoiled grains and seeds from their barnyard and pasture to create more balanced feed for their flock. Hens quickly took to this yummy treat! Plus it stretched the grain or seed needed to create more balanced chicken feed.
Scratch is typically composed of cracked or rolled corn, barley, wheat, oats, millet and various seeds; as this diet lacks complete nutrition it should only be fed in small quantities during cold winter months when your hens require extra warmth while laying.
