What Is Chicken Scratch?
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
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.
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Love this and I'm sure our chickens would, too. I especially like that last picture. Nature's colors are my favorite pallet.
Thank you Mama Melly! That means so much to me. Have a blessed day.