Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
If you use the scratch grain method for confined birds,
then you will need to sup-
plement the protein with purchased peas and other legumes or some other source of pro-
tein that is available in your region. When your birds are unable to forage in winter, sup-
plement their scratch grains with sources of additional vitamins and nutrients.
If free ranging is never a possibility in your operation,
adjust your scratch feeds
a bit to provide a balanced diet. For example, I always added extra corn when I lived in
the Northwest, where the scratch grains contained very little. Here in the Midwest, it's a
good idea to add a bit of wheat for better balance. Ask other farmers and feed store rep-
resentatives to help you determine what type of supplement is needed for scratch grain
feeding without ranging.
If feeding scratch grains to laying hens,
be sure to offer a source of calcium, as it
cannot be found in a large enough supply in the grains. The laying hens need the extra
calcium (oyster shells) so that their eggshells do not break easily. Oyster shell can be
mixed in the same can with the grit for free access.
Be sure to provide grit when you feed scratch grains. Learn more about grit and cal-
cium supplements in the section below.
Supplements
Even though they are technically not poultry food items, grit and calcium must always
be considered and are often necessary for the health, well-being, and productivity of
your flock.
Grit
Birds do not have teeth so must have grit, or tiny pieces of rock, in their gizzard to grind
food. Grit sold at feed supply stores in the United States is most often ground-up gran-
ite. A ground or very fine processed food, such as crumbles or pellets, usually makes a
source of grit unnecessary.
Only confined birds without the ability to roam need purchased grit. If birds are al-
lowed to free range, they usually find enough grit in the form of pebbles or sand in your
driveway, yard, or pasture. Even in an area virtually free of rock they find small pebbles
for their gizzards.
Most feed stores carry grit in various sizes from ultrafine for quail and young birds
to coarse for large fowl such as turkeys and geese. You may have to buy a 50-pound (23
kg) bag, but with the recent surge in backyard poultry raising, smaller, 5- or 10-pound
(2.25 or 4.5 kg) bags may be available. If you live in a rocky or sandy area, you may
even be able to forego the store-bought variety and simply scoop up the sand and soil
for the birds yourself.
