There is a special kind of magic in tossing a scoop of scratch grains across the yard and watching your whole flock come running, heads bobbing, wings flapping, everyone convinced this is the best moment of the day.
Scratch is one of the oldest and most beloved traditions in backyard chicken keeping, and for good reason. But if you have stood in the feed aisle wondering whether the organic version is really worth the extra few dollars, you are asking a fair question.
The short answer is yes, and the longer answer is worth understanding. At Nature’s Best Organic Feeds, as the first organic poultry and livestock feed company, we have been helping families raise healthier birds the way nature intended. Here is a warm, honest look at organic scratch grains for chickens, what they do, what they do not do, and why quality makes a real difference.
First, What Exactly Are Scratch Grains?
Let us clear up a common point of confusion right away. Scratch grains are not a complete feed. They are a treat.
Chicken scratch is typically a blend of whole or cracked grains, things like corn, wheat, oats, and barley, scattered on the ground to encourage your birds’ natural instinct to peck, dig, and forage. The name says it all: chickens scratch at the earth to find it. What scratch is not, however, is a balanced diet. It does not contain the full spectrum of protein, vitamins, and minerals your birds need to thrive, which is why it should always sit alongside a complete feed rather than replace it.
Think of scratch grains as the treat course, not the main meal. Understanding that distinction is the key to using scratch grains for backyard chickens well.
The 90/10 Rule: Keeping Scratch in Its Place
Here is the single most important guideline for feeding any treat, scratch included. The vast majority of your flock’s diet should come from a complete feed, and only a small portion should come from treats like scratch.
This ratio matters because treats are not fortified the way complete feeds are. Every bit of scratch your birds fill up on replaces a portion of the balanced nutrition they would otherwise be eating.
Lean on scratch too heavily and you risk diluting their diet, which can show up as weaker eggshells or reduced laying over time. As Oregon State University Extension notes, supplemental grains fed alongside a complete diet tend to water down carefully formulated nutrient levels, which is exactly why scratch should be offered sparingly.
A simple habit keeps you on track: offer only as much scratch as your birds can happily clean up in a short window. If there is still food scattered around long after, you gave them a little too much. Used with this light touch, chicken scratch feed is a wonderful addition to a happy flock’s life.
So Why Bother With Scratch at All?
If scratch is just a treat, is it even worth feeding? Absolutely, and the benefits go well beyond a happy flock, though that alone is a fine reason.
Scratch grains encourage natural foraging behavior, giving your birds something engaging to do. This is especially valuable in winter, when the ground is frozen and boredom can set in, or in any run where enrichment keeps birds active and content. A flock that gets to scratch and forage is a flock less likely to develop bad habits like feather picking.
There is a cozy seasonal perk too. On cold evenings, tossing a little scratch before dusk gives birds something to digest overnight, and the act of digesting generates a bit of internal warmth. It is a small, old-fashioned kindness that chicken keepers have relied on for generations.
And of course, scratch is a bonding tool. Few things build trust with a flock faster than becoming the bearer of the treat bag. For families with children, scattering scratch is a simple, joyful way to connect with the birds.
What to Look for in the Best Organic Scratch Grains
Not all scratch is created equal, so it pays to read the bag. When you are choosing the best organic scratch grains, a few things separate a great blend from a mediocre one.
Start with certification. Genuinely certified organic scratch is held to a verifiable standard for how the grains are grown and handled, rather than simply carrying an “organic-sounding” label. You can learn what that certification guarantees through the USDA’s organic standards resources.
Next, look at the grains themselves. Wholesome, recognizable ingredients are what you want, ideally a varied blend rather than nothing but corn, since variety brings a wider range of nutritional perks. Some thoughtfully made blends include ancient grains and colorful additions like blue corn, which offers natural antioxidants alongside the fiber and trace nutrients that whole grains provide. Clean, varied, certified organic scratch is the kind worth bringing home.
Scratch, Grit, and a Few Practical Tips
One important detail that new keepers often miss: if your birds are eating whole grains, they need grit to digest them properly. Chickens have no teeth, so they rely on small bits of grit in the gizzard to grind their food. Birds with access to open ground usually find enough on their own, but offering a free-choice dish of insoluble grit is cheap, easy insurance.
A few more tips for happy scratching. Scatter scratch rather than piling it in a feeder, since the scattering is what triggers that satisfying foraging behavior. Offer it later in the day, after your birds have eaten their fill of complete feed, so it does not spoil their appetite for the balanced nutrition they need. And keep fresh, clean water available at all times, as always.
Nature’s Best Organic Feeds Scratch and Treats
When you are ready to spoil your flock with healthy chicken treats that never spoil their diet, we have you covered. As a pioneer in organic poultry feed, we craft every product with Kreamer Feed, a family-owned mill in central Pennsylvania producing trusted feeds since 1947.
- Organic Ancient Scratch Grains & Blue Corn blend wholesome ancient grains with antioxidant-rich blue corn for a crunchy, colorful scratch your chickens will come running for. It encourages natural foraging while delivering the trace nutrients and fiber that whole grains provide.
- Organic Chicken Treats with Marigold, Alfalfa & Oregano combine herbs and greens that flocks love, with marigold long prized for supporting rich yolk color.
- Organic Chicken Treats with Berries & Whole Grains pair wholesome grains with a fruit-and-berry mix for a nourishing, craveable snack.
Every bag is USDA Certified Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified, and made in a Safe Feed/Safe Food certified facility. Remember to keep scratch and treats to a small share of your flock’s total diet, always served alongside a complete feed. Browse the full lineup at organicfeeds.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can scratch grains replace my chickens’ regular feed?
No. Scratch is a treat, not a complete diet. It lacks the balanced protein, vitamins, and minerals your birds need, so it should always be fed alongside a complete feed, not in place of it.
How much scratch should I give my chickens?
Keep it to a small portion of their overall diet. A good habit is to offer only what your flock can finish in a short time, fed after they have eaten their complete feed.
Do my chickens need grit if they eat scratch?
Yes. Whole grains require grit for proper digestion. Free-ranging birds often find their own, but offering insoluble grit free choice is a smart safeguard.
When is the best time to feed scratch?
Later in the day works well, after your birds have had their fill of complete feed. In cold weather, an evening handful gives them something to digest overnight.
Final Thoughts
So, are organic scratch grains worth it for backyard chickens? For the joy they bring, the natural foraging they encourage, and the clean, wholesome quality they add to your flock’s life, we think the answer is a happy yes. The key is simply using them the right way, as a treat that complements a complete feed rather than replacing it, and choosing a certified organic blend you can feel good about.
At Nature’s Best Organic Feeds, we are proud to help families treat their flocks the way nature intended. Because your birds give you so much, and a little wholesome scratch is one of the simplest ways to give back. Visit organicfeeds.com to find the perfect scratch and treats for your flock.
