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photo of a chicken in a pen Chicken scratch, making chicken scratch, winter feed for chickens, Chicken scratch for laying hens by Rosevine Cottage Girls

Chicken Scratch

Posted on January 10, 2013September 11, 2020 by Rosevine Cottage Girls
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Today we’re making chicken scratch, no, I am not talking about my poor penmanship, nor am I looking at yours, relax. What I am talking about is a tasty treat for your chickens. This is so easy to make and chicken scratch is a healthy treat for long winter nights to help your birds stay nice and toasty. 
 
Chicken scratch, making chicken scratch, winter feed for chickens, Chicken scratch for laying hens by Rosevine Cottage Girls

What Is Chicken Scratch?

Contents hide
1 What Is Chicken Scratch?
1.1 Is Chicken Scratch Bad For Chickens?
1.2 How Much Scratch Does A Chicken Need?
1.3 At What Age Can I Feed My Chickens Scratch?
1.4 Can You Sprout Chicken Scratch?
2 When To Feed Chickens Chicken Scratch
3 How To Make Chicken Scratch
4 Chicken Scratch
4.1 Optional Chicken Scratch Add-Ins
4.2 Related posts:
 
Chicken scratch is a pretty easy mix of grains, oyster shells, and other wholesome ingredients that really make your birds happy. You can make a super simple batch or add herbs and flowers that help promote egg-laying, respiratory health, and the general health of your birds. My chickens love this. They will stand at the fence watching while we make it, even my turkeys love it and try to climb the fence to get a sample. It is like poultry candy! 

 

Is Chicken Scratch Bad For Chickens?

No, chicken scratch is good to supplement your chickens’ diet with in the cold winter months to help keep the chickens warm.

How Much Scratch Does A Chicken Need?

For about 10 chickens you feed them 1/2 cup a day in the winter months or 2 1/2 tsp a day per chicken.

At What Age Can I Feed My Chickens Scratch?

At about 12 weeks old they will be ready for scratch.

Can You Sprout Chicken Scratch?

Yes, you can. 

When To Feed Chickens Chicken Scratch

We give our birds chicken scratch just before we lock them up for the night. This way they have something in their system overnight to process and keep them warm. Here in Tennessee, we don’t get as brutally cold as some of our neighboring states but it still can get pretty cold. It’s nice to have this to feed our birds so we know they’ll be staying nice and warm.

How To Make Chicken Scratch

 

Chicken scratch. How to make chicken scratch, Chicken Scratch for Laying Hens, by Rosevine Cottage GirlsChicken Scratch

A  50 lb bag of Oats
1- 50 lb bag of Wheat
1- 50 lb bag of Non- GMO Corn (optional)
A 50 lb bag of Millet
1 -5 lb bag of Crushed Oyster Shell

Optional Chicken Scratch Add-Ins

Add Mealworms, Sunflower Seeds, Dried Marigolds flowers, Garlic Powder, Brewer’s Yeast, Diatomaceous Earth, Sea Kelp, Dried Herbs: Oregano, Parsley, Sage, Pineapple Sage, Spearmint, Tarragon, Dill, Basil, Cilantro, lavender, thyme, or borage for added nutrition and health benefits.

We like to get all our ingredients from a local mill so that we can support the farms around us. Try finding one in your area! If you don’t have one check with your local feed supply.

Pour all the ingredients in a wheelbarrow or trailer to a lawnmower, mix until grains are well combined. Store in a rodent-proof container, we like to use clean trash can capable of storing 200+ LBS at a time. 

Check out our Amazon Storefront for all the tools you’ll need!

Homesteading books, back to our roots, animal keeping, raising animals, gardening, how to garden, recipes, wholesome food, how to cook, gardening tips, Rosevine Cottage Girls

Snag your free copy of our book Back To Our Roots filled with tips, advice, on gardening and raising animals and wholesome recipes HERE.

This post contains affiliate links.

Before you go, check these out!

  • How To Hatch Chicks
  • Caring For Laying Hens
  • How To Add Chickens To Your Flock

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0 thoughts on “Chicken Scratch”

  1. Mama Melly says:
    January 25, 2013 at 5:55 am

    Love this and I'm sure our chickens would, too. I especially like that last picture. Nature's colors are my favorite pallet.

    Reply
  2. Rosevine Cottage Girls says:
    January 27, 2013 at 4:44 pm

    Thank you Mama Melly! That means so much to me. Have a blessed day.

    Reply

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Meet The Rosevine Cottage Girls

Hi we’re the Rosevine Cottage Girls, Brianna, Cheyenne, and Tracy. A Mother and twin daughters living in beautiful middle Tennessee with our veteran dad and husband Mr. Cottage. We’re always up to something here at Rosevine Cottage whether that is redecorating some space in the house, working in the garden, or playing with the animals. Read more…

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