How to Make Your Own Winter Chicken Scratch (With Warming Herbs!)
🐔 Give your hens natural warmth, energy, and wellness when the temperature drops.
When winter hits, your hens use extra calories to stay warm and maintain steady egg production. A homemade chicken scratch blend is a simple, budget-friendly way to help them thrive while adding variety to their diet.
By combining warming grains like cracked corn and barley with my Warming Herbs for Chickens, you create a nutritional treat that encourages foraging, supports circulation, and keeps your flock active even on frosty mornings.
Why Your Flock Needs Winter Scratch
- Extra Energy: Scratch grains provide slow-burning carbs for internal warmth.
- Encourages Activity: Tossing scratch into bedding gets hens moving on cold days.
- Supports Immunity: Herbs help natural defenses when weather swings.
- Smells and Tastes Amazing: The coop smells like an herbal kitchen, not a barnyard!
Before you start mixing, gather your grains, a scoop, and a large container with a tight lid. Below you’ll find the exact ingredients I use every winter to keep my girls cozy and content.
Ingredients You’ll Need for Winter Chicken Scratch
| Ingredient | Amount | Why It Helps |
|---|---|---|
| Cracked corn | 4 cups | High energy — keeps hens warm |
| Whole oats | 2 cups | Adds fiber and slows digestion |
| Barley | 2 cups | Keeps hens fuller longer |
| Black-oil sunflower seeds | 1 cup | Healthy fats and protein for warmth |
| Millet | 1 cup | Small grain hens love to peck |
| Warming Herbs for Chickens | 3 TBS | Supports circulation and immunity |
🐔 Chicken Scratch Calculator
Calculate how much scratch grain to feed — keeping it at 10% of your flock’s daily feed.
Scratch is a treat — keep it at 10% of their total diet.
Add 1 TBS of Warming Herbs for every 2 cups of scratch for winter wellness 🌿
How to Mix Your Winter Scratch
- In a clean bucket or bin, add all your grains.
- Sprinkle in Warming Herbs for Chickens and stir until evenly distributed.
- Store airtight in a cool, dry place to preserve freshness and aroma.
- Offer a small portion late afternoon so digestion generates nighttime warmth.
For extra calories on freezing nights, drizzle up to ¼ cup unsulphured molasses over a 10-cup batch and mix well.
How Much Scratch to Feed
Keep scratch at about 10% of the daily ration. If a hen eats ~½ cup feed/day, that’s roughly 2 TBS of scratch per hen in winter. Complete feed stays primary; scratch is the energy treat.
Upgrade Store-Bought Scratch with Herbs
Mix 1 TBS of Warming Herbs for Chickens per 2 cups of scratch grains.
Shake or stir well so herbs are evenly distributed. This quick upgrade boosts aroma, supports circulation and immunity, and makes any scratch feel special.
Batch Size & Storage
- Mix 1–2 weeks at a time: Keeps herbs aromatic and grains fresh.
- Airtight, food-safe bins: Buckets with gamma lids or sealed totes work great.
- Cool, dry storage: Keep off concrete; add a moisture absorber in damp climates.
- Label the batch: Date, grain ratios, and “herbs added.”
- Freshness check: Look, sniff, and stir—no clumps, off smells, or pantry moths.
Optional Add-Ins (Tiny Amounts)
- Flaxseed: 2–3 TBS per 10-cup batch (omegas & shine).
- Wheat germ: ¼ cup per 10 cups (vitamin E).
- Sesame seed: 2–3 TBS per 10 cups (healthy fats).
- Cracked peas: Up to ½ cup per 10 cups (a little protein diversity).
Keep the base mix simple—add-ins are optional and shouldn’t push scratch over 10% daily.
What to Avoid
- Too much corn: Warming, but excess displaces complete feed.
- Salty or sweet human snacks: Risk of health issues and nutrient imbalance.
- Moldy or “dusty” grains: Discard immediately; never feed questionable ingredients.
- Large whole beans (raw): Skip—some aren’t safe uncooked.
Troubleshooting & Adjustments
- Leaving feed behind? Reduce scratch—hens may be filling up on treats.
- Weight creeping up? Offer scratch only on the coldest days and scatter wider for activity.
- Very cold snap? Keep at ≤10% but time it late afternoon for overnight warmth.
- Messy floor? Use a rubber feed pan or a clean mat to control scattering.
Weekly Scratch Plan (Max 1 TBS per Hen per Day)
Sample for 10 hens. Daily limit: 1 TBS per hen → 10 TBS total (= 5/8 cup). Herbs ratio: 1 TBS herbs per 2 cups scratch → here that’s ≈ 1 tsp herbs/day for the flock.
| Day | Scratch Limit (per hen) | Total Scratch for 10 hens | Herbs to Add (daily) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon | 1 TBS | 5/8 cup (10 TBS) | ≈ 1 tsp | Scatter wide; late afternoon |
| Tue | 1 TBS | 5/8 cup (10 TBS) | ≈ 1 tsp | Confirm layer feed intake is normal |
| Wed | 1 TBS | 5/8 cup (10 TBS) | ≈ 1 tsp | Use rubber pan if bedding is damp |
| Thu | 1 TBS | 5/8 cup (10 TBS) | ≈ 1 tsp | Lightly scatter for activity |
| Fri | 1 TBS | 5/8 cup (10 TBS) | ≈ 1 tsp | Quick body condition check |
| Sat | 1 TBS | 5/8 cup (10 TBS) | ≈ 1 tsp | Family toss time—enrichment |
| Sun | 1 TBS | 5/8 cup (10 TBS) | ≈ 1 tsp | Adjust next week if feed is leftover |
| Weekly total | — | 4⅜ cups (70 TBS) | ≈ 2 TBS + ½ tsp (≈ 2.19 TBS) | Mix herbs into a weekly batch for even coating |
Daily Scratch & Herbs by Flock Size (Max 1 TBS/hen)
| Flock Size | Total Scratch (cups & TBS) | Herbs to Add (daily) | Easy Measure |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 hens | ¼ cup (4 TBS) | ≈ ⅜ tsp | Rounded to ¼–½ tsp |
| 6 hens | ⅜ cup (6 TBS) | ≈ ½ tsp | ½ tsp |
| 8 hens | ½ cup (8 TBS) | ≈ ¾ tsp | ¾ tsp |
| 10 hens | ⅝ cup (10 TBS) | ≈ 1 tsp | 1 tsp |
| 12 hens | ¾ cup (12 TBS) | ≈ 1⅛ tsp | 1 tsp + a pinch |
Herb ratio math: 1 TBS herbs per 2 cups scratch → ≈ 1 tsp herbs per ⅝ cup scratch (10 hens). Round to the nearest ¼ tsp for kitchen simplicity.
Do’s & Don’ts for Winter Scratch
| Do | Don’t |
|---|---|
| Limit to max 1 TBS per hen per day. | Don’t exceed the daily cap or replace layer feed with scratch. |
| Offer in the late afternoon to fuel overnight warmth. | Don’t give big morning portions that displace complete feed. |
| Scatter wide for activity, or use a clean rubber pan. | Don’t toss on wet/dirty ground where it molds or attracts pests. |
| Keep total treats (all treats) at or under 10%. | Don’t let treats creep up and dilute vitamins/minerals from feed. |
| Use the herbs ratio: 1 TBS herbs per 2 cups scratch. | Don’t over-herb; more isn’t better and can affect palatability. |
| Store airtight in a cool, dry place; label & date. | Don’t use dusty, rancid, or questionable grains—when in doubt, toss. |
| Batch-mix for 1–2 weeks to keep aromas fresh. | Don’t mix months ahead; quality and aroma decline. |
| Prioritize ventilation and unfrozen water daily. | Don’t seal the coop tight (moisture → frostbite risk). |
| Watch body condition; adjust portions if feed is left behind. | Don’t keep portions the same if hens are skipping layer feed. |
| Keep the base simple (corn, oats, barley, BOSS, millet); add-ins sparingly. | Don’t use salty/sugary human snacks or raw large beans. |
Backyard tip: I keep a dedicated 1 TBS scoop in my scratch bin—fast, accurate, and it keeps me honest on cold days. 💛
Kitchen-friendly tip: If you batch-mix a week at a time for 10 hens, add about 2 TBS + ½ tsp herbs to 4⅜ cups scratch. That’s easier than micro-measuring a pinch daily.
Climate Tweaks
- Frigid & dry: Keep scratch within 10% but emphasize late-afternoon timing; ensure water heaters.
- Cold & damp: Prioritize ventilation and dryness; herbs help aroma and coop freshness.
- Mild winters: Offer scratch fewer days per week or in smaller portions.
Sourcing & Cost Savers
- Buy grains in bulk: 25–50 lb bags are most economical.
- Team up with a neighbor: Split large bags so everything stays fresh.
- Use clear bins: Quick visual check prevents mid-week shortages.
- Stay consistent: Hens do best with predictable ingredients and timing.
Quick Quality Check (Weekly)
- Inspect grains for clumps, dust, or pests.
- Stir the bin to redistribute herbs and settle fines.
- Ensure waterers are clean and unfrozen daily.
- Do a 10-second body-condition check while they eat.
Benefits of Herbal Chicken Scratch
- Supports healthy circulation for better heat retention.
- Helps natural immune and respiratory defenses in cold weather.
- Encourages natural foraging behavior and coop activity.
- Pleasing aroma; less waste left behind.
Cozy nutrition, happy hens, and beautiful winter eggs 💛
