Chicken scratch, a familiar term to backyard chicken keepers and seasoned poultry farmers alike, is more than just a handful of grains tossed into the coop. It’s a supplementary feed that, when used correctly, can offer a variety of benefits for your feathered friends. But what exactly does chicken scratch do for chickens? Let’s delve into the specifics.
Chicken Scratch: A Closer Look
Chicken scratch is typically a mixture of cracked corn, wheat, and sometimes other grains like oats or barley. Unlike a complete feed, which is formulated to provide all the essential nutrients a chicken needs, chicken scratch is primarily a source of carbohydrates. It should be considered a treat or supplement, not the main component of their diet.
Its coarse texture and larger particle size encourage chickens to scratch and peck, mimicking their natural foraging behavior. This is where the name “chicken scratch” originates.
The Importance of Foraging
Chickens are natural foragers. In a wild or free-range environment, they spend a significant amount of their day searching for insects, seeds, and other tidbits. This behavior is not just about finding food; it’s also mentally stimulating and helps keep them physically active.
Chicken scratch provides a way to replicate this foraging experience, even for chickens kept in more confined spaces. Tossing scratch around the run encourages them to scratch, peck, and explore, which can help prevent boredom and related behavioral problems like feather pecking.
Benefits of Chicken Scratch for Chickens
The advantages of incorporating chicken scratch into your chickens’ routine are multifaceted. From promoting natural behaviors to offering a boost of energy, understanding these benefits will allow you to use scratch effectively.
Promoting Natural Behavior and Reducing Boredom
As mentioned earlier, chicken scratch is a fantastic way to encourage natural foraging behavior. The act of scratching and pecking helps keep chickens entertained and mentally stimulated. A bored chicken can quickly become a destructive chicken, leading to problems like feather pecking, aggression towards other flock members, and decreased egg production.
By providing chicken scratch, you’re essentially giving your chickens a job to do, which helps to keep them happy and engaged. This is especially important during the winter months when they may not have access to natural foraging opportunities.
A Source of Energy, Especially in Cold Weather
Chicken scratch is primarily composed of carbohydrates, which are a readily available source of energy. This can be particularly beneficial during colder months when chickens need extra energy to maintain their body temperature.
While complete feed provides a balanced diet for regular needs, the added carbohydrates from scratch can provide a welcome boost to help them withstand the cold. However, it is crucial not to overfeed scratch, as it can lead to weight gain and health problems.
Aiding Digestive Health
The larger particle size of chicken scratch can also contribute to digestive health. The gizzard, a muscular organ in the chicken’s digestive system, uses grit (small stones or sand) to grind down food. The coarser texture of scratch requires more gizzard activity, which can help improve digestion.
Encouraging Chickens to Return to the Coop
Chicken scratch can be a valuable tool for training chickens to return to the coop in the evening. By scattering scratch near the coop entrance, you can associate the coop with a positive reward. This makes it easier to herd them back in at dusk and helps ensure they are safe from predators overnight.
Consistent use of this method can establish a routine and make it much easier to manage your flock.
Potential Drawbacks and Considerations
While chicken scratch offers several benefits, it’s important to be aware of potential drawbacks and use it responsibly. Overfeeding scratch can lead to health problems and imbalances in their diet.
Nutritional Imbalance and Obesity
Chicken scratch is not a complete feed and lacks the necessary protein, vitamins, and minerals that chickens need for optimal health and egg production. Over-reliance on scratch can lead to nutritional deficiencies and health problems.
The high carbohydrate content of scratch can also contribute to obesity. Overweight chickens may experience decreased egg production, mobility issues, and other health complications. It’s essential to ensure that scratch makes up only a small percentage of their overall diet, supplementing rather than replacing their complete feed.
Attracting Pests
Scattering chicken scratch around the coop can attract unwanted pests like rodents and wild birds. These pests can steal food, contaminate the coop, and potentially spread diseases to your flock.
To minimize the risk of attracting pests, offer scratch in limited quantities and clean up any uneaten food regularly. Consider using a designated feeding area that is easy to clean. Store chicken scratch in a secure, pest-proof container.
Spoilage and Mold Growth
Like any grain-based feed, chicken scratch can spoil or become moldy if not stored properly. Moldy feed can be harmful to chickens and can lead to health problems.
Store chicken scratch in a cool, dry place in an airtight container. Regularly inspect the feed for signs of mold or spoilage. Discard any feed that appears to be contaminated.
How to Use Chicken Scratch Effectively
To reap the benefits of chicken scratch without the drawbacks, it’s essential to use it responsibly and in moderation. Here are some guidelines to follow:
Moderation is Key
Chicken scratch should only make up about 10% of a chicken’s overall diet. The remaining 90% should come from a high-quality complete feed that is formulated to meet their nutritional needs.
Timing is Important
Offer chicken scratch in the late afternoon or evening, after chickens have had access to their complete feed throughout the day. This allows them to satisfy their nutritional needs first and then enjoy the scratch as a treat.
Consider the Season
Adjust the amount of chicken scratch you offer based on the season. During colder months, you can slightly increase the amount to provide extra energy. During warmer months, reduce the amount to prevent weight gain.
Scatter, Don’t Pile
Scatter the chicken scratch around the run to encourage foraging behavior. Avoid piling it in one spot, as this can lead to overeating and attract pests.
Clean Up Leftovers
Regularly clean up any uneaten chicken scratch to prevent spoilage and pest infestations.
Alternatives to Chicken Scratch
If you’re concerned about the potential drawbacks of chicken scratch, there are several healthy alternatives you can offer your chickens:
- Mealworms: These are a great source of protein and can be offered as a treat or mixed with their regular feed.
- Black Oil Sunflower Seeds: These seeds are high in fat and energy and can be especially beneficial during the winter months.
- Vegetable Scraps: Offer your chickens leftover vegetable scraps like lettuce, cucumber, and carrot tops.
- Fruits: Small amounts of fruits such as berries, apples, and melons can be offered as treats.
- Herbs: Growing herbs such as oregano, thyme, and lavender in the chicken run can provide enrichment and potential health benefits.
Conclusion
Chicken scratch can be a valuable tool for chicken keepers when used correctly. It promotes natural foraging behavior, provides a boost of energy, and can aid digestive health. However, it’s important to remember that scratch is not a complete feed and should only be offered in moderation. By understanding the benefits and potential drawbacks of chicken scratch, you can use it effectively to keep your chickens happy, healthy, and engaged. Remember to prioritize a balanced diet with a high-quality complete feed, and use scratch as a supplementary treat to enrich their lives.
Why do chickens love chicken scratch so much?
Chickens are naturally drawn to chicken scratch because it mimics their instinctual foraging behavior. Scratch is typically a mix of cracked corn, wheat, and other grains. The variety of textures and flavors appeals to their palates and encourages them to scratch and peck, fulfilling their natural desire to hunt for food. This innate behavior provides mental stimulation and keeps them active, preventing boredom and potential behavioral issues like feather picking.
Beyond the appeal to their instincts, chicken scratch provides a tasty and relatively easy-to-digest carbohydrate source. While not a complete feed and lacking the necessary protein and nutrients for primary sustenance, it offers a pleasant energy boost, especially during colder months. Chickens find the sweetness of corn particularly palatable, making scratch a highly sought-after treat.
Is chicken scratch a complete feed for chickens?
No, chicken scratch is not a complete feed and should not be the primary source of nutrition for chickens. It lacks the essential protein, vitamins, and minerals that chickens need for optimal health, growth, and egg production. Think of it as a supplemental treat, similar to how humans enjoy snacks or desserts.
A balanced chicken feed formulated for their age and purpose (laying, meat production, etc.) is crucial for providing the necessary nutrients. Over-reliance on scratch can lead to nutritional deficiencies, resulting in poor egg quality, stunted growth, and weakened immune systems. A good rule of thumb is to limit scratch to no more than 10% of their daily diet.
When is the best time to give chickens chicken scratch?
The ideal time to offer chicken scratch is in the late afternoon or early evening, especially during colder months. As chickens prepare to roost for the night, the carbohydrates in the scratch help to increase their body temperature, providing extra warmth throughout the night. This is particularly beneficial in cooler climates where overnight temperatures can drop significantly.
Additionally, offering scratch later in the day can help prevent them from filling up on it earlier, ensuring they still consume their primary, nutrient-rich feed throughout the day. It can also serve as a bonding activity, encouraging them to come back to the coop in the evening, making it easier to manage their flock.
How much chicken scratch should I give my chickens?
The amount of chicken scratch you provide should be limited to a small portion of their daily diet, ideally no more than 10%. This ensures they still consume enough of their complete feed to meet their nutritional needs. Overfeeding scratch can lead to weight gain and nutritional imbalances.
A general guideline is about a handful of scratch per chicken per day, but this can vary depending on breed, age, and the weather. Observe your flock and adjust the amount accordingly. If they are consistently leaving scratch uneaten, reduce the portion size. Always prioritize their access to a balanced feed and fresh water.
Can chicks eat chicken scratch?
While technically chicks can eat small amounts of chicken scratch, it’s generally not recommended, especially for very young chicks. Their digestive systems are still developing, and the large pieces of cracked corn or other grains in scratch can be difficult for them to process. Moreover, chicks require a specific chick starter feed that is formulated with high protein and essential nutrients for rapid growth.
If you do choose to offer scratch to chicks, ensure it is finely ground or crushed into smaller pieces that are easier to digest. However, it’s still best to prioritize chick starter feed as their primary food source until they are older and their digestive systems are more mature. Once they reach pullet stage, they can be gradually introduced to larger pieces of scratch.
Does chicken scratch help chickens in cold weather?
Yes, chicken scratch can be beneficial for chickens during cold weather due to its carbohydrate content. Carbohydrates are a source of energy, and when chickens digest them, their bodies generate heat. This extra heat can help them stay warmer during cold nights, especially if they are roosting in an unheated coop.
However, it is important to remember that chicken scratch is not a replacement for proper shelter and other cold-weather management practices. Ensure your coop is draft-free, well-insulated, and provides adequate roosting space. Supplementing their diet with scratch is simply an additional tool to help them maintain their body temperature.
Can chicken scratch be used as a training tool for chickens?
Yes, chicken scratch can be effectively used as a training tool to encourage chickens to come when called or to return to their coop. The treat-like nature of scratch makes it a positive reinforcement that chickens readily respond to. By consistently associating a specific sound or call with the offering of scratch, you can train them to associate the sound with a reward.
To train your chickens, choose a distinct sound or phrase, like a whistle or a specific word. Each time you offer scratch, use that sound or phrase. Over time, the chickens will learn to associate the sound with the reward of scratch and will come running when they hear it. This can be particularly useful for managing free-ranging chickens and ensuring they return to the coop at night.