I've ordered Scratch & Peck feeds 3 or 4 times now and my chickens have gone crazy for it since day 1. You can definitely tell the difference in your flock when you give them a quality feed vs. the mass produced highly-processed crap they sell in most feed stores (the biggest difference that I've noticed is in the smell of their poop - much less potent when on this stuff). I love that you can actually see the grains in this feed, but the downside is that the chickens will pick out their favorites and leave the rest (at least that's been my case). There is some powder in this feed as well, which is more difficult for them to eat. You could add water to the powdery stuff and give it to them as a mash, but what I've been experimenting with recently is fermenting feed. I'm down to the last bit of the bag on their current feed, so much of my experimenting has been with the powder or bits that they "rejected", but you can ferment all the feed if you wish to do so (which I plan on doing with the next bag that I get).
If you're not familiar with fermenting feed, here's a quick run-down:
There are tons of benefits to fermenting - the process produces what are essentially probiotics (healthy bacteria) that promote digestive health. I've also read that the components of the feed are better utilized by the chickens' bodies after the feed is fermented - they don't have to eat as much to get the nutrients that they need (which saves you money, essentially, because it takes them longer to get through a bag of feed). Since fermentation produces a wet feed, they also don't require as much water. From the first day of offering this feed to them after it had fermented, I've noticed that their poop is well formed for the most part (not runny) and there is nearly no stink to it (yay!). Others have also reported healthier looking feathers and less illness (I haven't been fermenting long enough to see these benefits in my flock yet).
The fermentation process is pretty simple - you just place some feed into a vessel/bucket, add a source of healthy bacteria (I use apple cider vinegar with "the mother"), and add enough water to cover the feed. You can also add other things to the mix that you would normally feed them (kitchen scraps, etc), though I haven't tried adding other components yet. Loosely cover the container (so gasses can escape & air can get it - you don't want to leave the container completely uncovered or it'll attract bugs... unless that's what you're going for, lol) and place the container in a location where it is somewhat warm and dark. After a day or two, you should notice the odor change to kind of a sour scent (if you've ever made sourdough bread or worked with a sourdough starter, it's along those same lines) and it'll get frothy - when this has occurred, it's ready to feed to the flock. If your birds are adults, it may take a day or two for them to "accept" it, though mine didn't really have an issue with it. There are tons more details about fermenting in the forum of the Backyard Chickens website - one of the threads on there is over 1000 pages long, lol (just search for fermented feed).
From what I've seen, fermenting is definitely the way to go - it keeps the flock happy & healthy and it stretches the feed budget (win-win-win). This feed on it's own is great, but fermenting just takes it to the next level.
Scratch and Peck Feeds Organic Starter Mash Chick Feed - 10-lbs - 20.5% Protein, Non-GMO Project Verified, Naturally Free Chi
4.6 | 2,500 ratings
Price: 29.99
Last update: 07-27-2024
About this item
Complete Feed For Chickens And Ducks - A special blend of cracked organic grains, organic flax meal, and select vitamins and minerals sourced from North American farms.
USDA Certified Organic And Non-GMO Project Verified- Choosing products that are Certified Organic and Non-GMO Project Verified is the best way to ensure you are getting the safest, healthiest, and highest-quality food for your animals and family.
Soy And Corn Free - Soy is often used as an inexpensive protein in animal feed, but animals do not need soy. For those who want to avoid corn in their diets, this feed ensures that potential allergens do not wind up on your plate.
Raw And Unprocessed - This is an unpelletized feed and retains optimal nutrition for better absorption. This feed is an excellent choice for fermenting, and more information about how to ferment can be found on the Scratch and Peck website.
Grown And Milled In The Pacific NW - We are dedicated to sustainable farming and supporting local agriculture by buying directly from farmers we know and trust.
USDA Certified Organic And Non-GMO Project Verified- Choosing products that are Certified Organic and Non-GMO Project Verified is the best way to ensure you are getting the safest, healthiest, and highest-quality food for your animals and family.
Soy And Corn Free - Soy is often used as an inexpensive protein in animal feed, but animals do not need soy. For those who want to avoid corn in their diets, this feed ensures that potential allergens do not wind up on your plate.
Raw And Unprocessed - This is an unpelletized feed and retains optimal nutrition for better absorption. This feed is an excellent choice for fermenting, and more information about how to ferment can be found on the Scratch and Peck website.
Grown And Milled In The Pacific NW - We are dedicated to sustainable farming and supporting local agriculture by buying directly from farmers we know and trust.
Product information
| Item Weight | 10 pounds |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | SCRATCH AND PECK FEEDS YOU ARE WHAT YOUR ANIMALS EAT |
| ASIN | B01HHGD81C |
| Customer Reviews |
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars
2,444 ratings
4.6 out of 5 stars |
| Date First Available | June 23, 2016 |
| Item Package Dimensions L x W x H | 15.24 x 9.02 x 5.43 inches |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 7 x 4.5 x 10 inches |
| Item Weight | 10 Pounds |
| Brand Name | Scratch and Peck Feeds |
| Target Audience Keyword | poultry, birds |
| Directions | Feed the ground whole grain Starter Feed from Day 1 until birds are 8 weeks old, then switch to Naturally Free Grower Feed until 20 weeks. Use the Naturally Free Layer Feed from 20 weeks on. Always offer plenty of fresh water and the appropriate sized Grit! This product is suitable for use with waterfowl with a slightly adjusted feeding recommendation. For ducks, switch to Naturally Free Grower at 4 weeks of age. |
| Size | 10 Pound (Pack of 1) |
| Age Range Description | 1-8 Weeks |
| Care Instructions | Feed free choice to chicks as a complete diet from day 1 until 8 weeks of age. Feed free choice to ducklings as a complete diet from day 1 until 4 weeks of age. Keep feeders full. Offer free choice Cluckin' Good Chick Grit to support nutrient digestion. Always provide clean, fresh water. |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Manufacturer | SCRATCH AND PECK FEEDS YOU ARE WHAT YOUR ANIMALS EAT |
| Style | Starter |
| Breed Recommendation | All Breed Sizes |
| Specific Uses for Product | Nutrition |
Top reviews from the United States
A. Austin
Excellent feed (especially for fermentation)
Reviewed in the United States on May 28, 2014Amazon Customer
Nutrient packed, good for laying hens
Reviewed in the United States on March 4, 2024
Shera B.
Great feed.
Reviewed in the United States on April 2, 2024Florida Gal
Good value for money if you're willing to soak the feed
Reviewed in the United States on July 5, 2021Jana Baker
Chickens love it
Reviewed in the United States on July 20, 2023Amazon Customer
Chicks Starter
Reviewed in the United States on March 29, 2024Lynette Hallmark
Awesome Chicken feed
Reviewed in the United States on April 11, 2024Kara
10 chickens- 2 roosters and 8 hens
Reviewed in the United States on April 27, 2024