Chicken scratch is a supplemental feed that you can give your chickens in addition to their regular, well balanced chicken feed that encourages your birds to scratch around, to look for tidbits of food and insects. Chickens who are caged all the time may need chicken scratch more than a free range chicken would. People often use chicken scratch to make their regular chicken feed stretch further because chicken scratch is cheaper than feed. This sounds like a good way to do it but it really isn't. Stretching the chicken feed by mixing it with scratch feed may give the birds a few extra vitamins but can cause vitamin deficiencies as most chickens will prefer the scratch over their nutritionally balanced feed and eat only the scratch feed. Always feed your chickens their regular feed before giving them treats just like you would with other pets.
Why Feed Chickens Scratch?
Chicken scratch is important to your chickens health because it encourages their natural instinct to scratch at the ground while searching for tasty treats while trimming their toe nails at the same time, so you do not have too!
Can be thrown on the ground while calling for your chickens while crumble, and pellet feed should be served in a container or feed dish. It is always fun to watch them enjoy their meals and snacks.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Scratch should be free of moisture, mold, mildew, insects, mice or rat droppings
Alternate your choices in feed and scratch from time to time to be sure they are getting enough vitamins.
Chickens raised in coops may not get enough greens and insects. Try to choose varieties of snacks to throw to them in addition to their scratch, and regular feed. See more below our featured video.
Why Feed Chickens Scratch?
Chicken scratch is important to your chickens health because it encourages their natural instinct to scratch at the ground while searching for tasty treats while trimming their toe nails at the same time, so you do not have too!
- Scratch should be served as a treat, and can be served daily. If your chickens are getting are getting enough greens, insects, and scratching time on the ground free ranging, you usually will not have to trim their nails, as they scratch for food. However, chickens really enjoy their treats and giving them scratch is a great way to provide a healthy one.
Can be thrown on the ground while calling for your chickens while crumble, and pellet feed should be served in a container or feed dish. It is always fun to watch them enjoy their meals and snacks.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Scratch should be free of moisture, mold, mildew, insects, mice or rat droppings
Alternate your choices in feed and scratch from time to time to be sure they are getting enough vitamins.
Chickens raised in coops may not get enough greens and insects. Try to choose varieties of snacks to throw to them in addition to their scratch, and regular feed. See more below our featured video.
Can You mix Chicken Scratch with Chicken Feed?
You can mix chicken scratch, whole corn, cracked corn or other treats with your regular chicken feed but it is not a good idea, because most birds will pick the treats out first and often times won't eat the regular feed if they get full. If you are going to serve chicken scratch you should do it after your birds have had their regular feed. For example, I keep regular balanced feed out for the chickens all day long but when I want to give them a treat I sprinkle some scratch around, not a lot, just enough so all the chickens get some. I only put out an amount that they will consume in a few minutes and I do not give them treats right before nightfall so there is no leftover feed laying around for mice, rats, etc. They enjoy their treat time and a few extra vitamins and I feel better knowing they are still eating their complete balanced feed during the day before treat time.
References:
Baird, Natalie. Chickens eating scratch. (Jul. 30, 2011). YouTube. Retrieved 7 June 2018, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irKyVd0wBqA
Baird, Natalie. Chickens eating scratch. (Jul. 30, 2011). YouTube. Retrieved 7 June 2018, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irKyVd0wBqA