Chicken scratch can be an excellent way to supplement your flock’s diet, and should be given in moderation in order to encourage foraging and prevent issues with boredom in coops such as egg eating.
Chicken scratch feed can sometimes be considered in the same category as pellet, crumble, and mash feeds; however, it should be fed only occasionally as a treat to your flock.
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It is a source of protein
Chicken scratch is an effective way to supplement the diet of your flock, but should never serve as their only source of protein. Too much scratch may result in malnutrition and egg production issues for the chickens who consume too much. Furthermore, these chickens may exhibit symptoms like dull eyes and ratty feathers resulting from overindulging on this treat.
Chicken scratch should only make up a portion of their daily feed intake; typically no more than 10%. This is because chicken scratch is simply a basic mixture of grains and seeds without added minerals and supplements that commercial chicken feed offers.
Commercial feeds have been carefully designed and tested to provide egg laying hens with just the right amount of protein, plus calcium carbonate to strengthen egg shells. By contrast, chicken scratch contains only half as much protein; thus it should only be fed during winter when foraging opportunities are scarce.
It is a source of fat
Chicken scratch is an enjoyable treat for chickens that supplements their diet. Homesteaders can create their own version using cracked corn, oats, wheat, barley and sunflower seeds or purchase premixed blends from most feed stores.
Healthy chickens require a balanced diet in order to produce high-quality eggs. When fed too much chicken scratch, their feathers may start falling out and their behavior could change; leading to unhealthy egg-laying habits or behavioral issues.
Scratch should make up no more than 10% of a hen’s diet, when served alongside a high quality pelleted or crumble feed pellet or crumble. This is essential as chicken scratch contains only half the protein of layer feeds and lacks essential minerals and nutrients, risking contamination in their flock’s nutrition supply and illness outbreaks.
It is a source of fiber
Chicken scratch feed provides essential fiber, but should only be provided as an occasional treat rather than as part of their main diet. Too much scratch feed could cause digestive issues in chickens or lead them to show signs of depression.
Scratch can be an effective supplement to your chickens’ diet during winter when foraging opportunities may be scarcer. But be wary of feeding only scratch as a main meal – its low protein content could result in boredom-induced feather plucking, nipping and egg eating behaviour.
Scratch mixes for chickens typically contain a mix of seeds and grains such as oats, barley, wheat, milo and sunflower seeds; brand to brand they may differ slightly in composition; however, most ingredients will likely remain constant; it can often be cheaper to purchase scratch grain than layer feed with all necessary nutrients and minerals for laying hens.
It is a source of energy
Chicken scratch can provide your flock with energy-rich nourishment, but should never make up more than 10 percent of their daily diet. Keep in mind that it does not provide all of the same essential vitamins and minerals found in complete feed formulas – therefore make this meal an occasional treat instead.
Feeding too much scratch may cause protein deficiency in your chickens, leading to bad eggs or even partial molt. Furthermore, they will eat less of their pellets, crumbles, or mash and eating habits will change accordingly.
Chicken scratch can serve many functions for your flock. From teaching them how to associate you with food or encouraging foraging behavior to aerating compost piles and ridding yourself of garden pests. And if you’re raising mixed flocks, chicken scratch makes an engaging treat for turkeys, geese, ducks or any other game birds as it contains seeds and grains that most hen breeds love to snack on!
