Why Clean Ingredients Matter: The Hidden Impact of Fillers on Flock Health

How Scratch and Peck’s clean ingredient philosophy protects flock health, supports egg quality, and builds long term trust with chicken keepers

Sarah M., Chicago, IL

• 5 min read

Who is Scratch and Peck

Scratch and Peck began with a simple purpose. Create feed that respects the natural biology of poultry and mirrors the way birds were meant to eat. Long before clean feed became a trend, the founders believed that chickens deserve real food from clean farms, not highly processed fillers. They worked closely with regional farmers, nutritionists, and animal welfare experts to build a formula that delivers natural nourishment instead of shortcuts.

From the beginning, Scratch and Peck chose to be certified organic and Non-GMO Verified, long before most feed brands considered these standards necessary. They built relationships with North American farmers, encouraged responsible growing practices, and insisted on ingredient transparency. Every decision centered around one idea. If the feed is clean, consistent, and rooted in real whole ingredients, the flock will thrive and the chicken keepers can trust what they are feeding every single day.

Today, Scratch and Peck is known not only for organic feed but for a philosophy that prioritizes clean sourcing, animal wellbeing, and honest nutrition. The brand continues to produce feed that reflects the natural diet birds evolved to consume.

Why the Sourcing Process Matters

Most people look at the back of a feed bag and see a list of grains, minerals, and supplements. What they rarely see is the deeper story of sourcing. The quality of a grain depends on how it was grown, the soil it came from, the farmer who harvested it, and the conditions in which it was stored.

Scratch and Peck works with trusted North American growers who follow organic farming methods. These farms avoid synthetic pesticides and chemical treatments that can leave residue. They also maintain seed integrity, ensuring the grains remain clean and nutrient rich.

The brand’s commitment to clean sourcing is not only about purity. It is about consistency. Chickens rely on small daily amounts of key nutrients. When grains are grown without harsh chemicals and without genetic modification, they preserve their natural structure, giving hens the kind of nutrition that’s best for their bodies.

This level of sourcing is rare in the feed industry, where most formulations rely on processed grain fragments, low cost fillers, and synthetic additives to meet nutritional requirement. For Scratch and Peck, the process begins before the grain even reaches the mill.

Why Clean Ingredients Matter More Than Ever

Better nutrition creates stronger birds, richer eggs, and more consistent laying cycles

Modern chickens live in environments where their primary nutrition comes from balanced feed. While some backyard flocks may free range across several acres, most hens still rely on their daily feed for the consistent nutrients they need. Even active foragers cannot gather enough grains, greens, seeds, insects, and minerals to meet all of their nutritional requirements. This is why the quality of their feed becomes so important. What you place in their feeder forms the foundation of feather strength, bone density, immune health, and egg quality.

Many commercial feeds use processed grains or heavy filler content. These formulas may fill a bird’s stomach but do not provide the depth and complexity of real whole grain nutrition. Birds digest these lower quality feeds quickly, often losing the slow burning energy and nutrient richness they naturally thrive on. Over time this can contribute to thin shells, dull feathers, or inconsistent laying patterns.

Scratch and Peck focuses on clean organic ingredients and transparent sourcing across all their feed formats. Their mash line features whole grains that reflect how birds naturally forage, while their crumbles and pellets are purposefully cracked and blended to ensure hens receive complete nutrition in every bite. These formats were created in response to customer feedback from flock owners whose birds picked through mash and missed essential nutrients. Crumbles and pellets offer the same trusted ingredients in a form that prevents selective eating, helping birds benefit from the full balanced formula.

What is Inside the Feed

Scratch and Peck’s Organic Layer Crumbles contain a thoughtful blend of ingredients selected for nutritional completeness and natural balance.

As one of the core grains in the formula, organic wheat provides a steady source of energy. It supports natural digestive rhythms and helps birds remain active throughout the day. In crumble form, the wheat is cracked and blended to ensure hens receive balanced nutrition in every bite without selective eating.

Peas deliver clean plant based protein which supports muscle tone, feather strength, and consistent laying patterns. They offer amino acids that hens need to produce high quality eggs while staying energetic and healthy.

Barley contributes natural fiber which helps regulate digestion and keeps birds comfortable. It supports gut health, nutrient absorption, and long term vitality for birds of all breeds and sizes.

Flaxseed is known for its omega rich profile. These healthy fats support feather shine, immune balance, and overall vitality. Birds with regular access to omega rich ingredients often show stronger immunity and more vibrant plumage.

Natural oils play an essential role in a hen’s diet. Sunflower oil helps birds absorb fat soluble vitamins, supports glossy feathers, and improves overall egg quality. It also delivers a concentrated form of energy that birds use during active laying cycles.

Fish meal provides dense protein and essential nutrients that support egg development and muscle strength. Birds benefit from the naturally occurring fatty acids that contribute to healthier yolks and sustained energy.

Calcium from limestone is vital for hens that lay regularly. It supports bone strength and plays a direct role in the formation of eggshells. With the right calcium levels birds produce shells that are thick, durable, and resistant to cracking.

Why These Ingredients Benefit Poultry

Clean nutrition creates visible improvements in flock health. When birds are fed organic grains, balanced proteins, and a complete micronutrient profile, their entire physiology responds.

Stronger shells and richer yolks result from balanced calcium, healthy fats, and essential micronutrients.

Clean organic grains provide steady energy that helps support natural daily activity and healthy digestion.

Clean ingredients reduce digestive stress and help support nutrient absorption.

Omega rich flaxseed and natural oils support feather gloss and overall skin condition.

Birds fed clean nutrition often show improved resilience, brighter eyes, and stronger immunity.

Clean ingredients do more than fill a feeder. They fuel the ongoing health of the flock.

The Power of the Vitamin and Mineral Premix

Balanced micronutrients that support internal health, eggshell integrity, and long term resilience

The vitamin and mineral premix inside Scratch and Peck formulas includes essential nutrients that hens need to stay strong. This blend contains monocalcium phosphate, dicalcium phosphate, ground limestone, and important minerals such as zinc, manganese, copper, selenium, and iron. These nutrients support bone structure, feather quality, and immune function.

Many customers notice the scientific names of these vitamins and minerals and think they sound like chemicals. In reality, these are naturally occurring nutrients that all birds need. The names simply reflect their scientific classification, not artificial or harmful additives. Every component in this premix is chosen to mimic what hens would naturally encounter and require in a balanced diet.

A full range of vitamins such as A, D3, E, and the complete B complex ensures hens maintain healthy metabolism, proper growth, and consistent laying cycles. These vitamins help convert food into energy, support reproductive health, and keep birds in peak condition across the year.

The premix also features organic botanicals including origanum oil, cinnamon bark oil, and thyme oil. These plant based extracts support gut function, promote healthy digestion, and help maintain a balanced biome. Kelp meal adds naturally occurring minerals from marine environments, which many birds rarely access in a backyard setting.

Together, this mix enhances every aspect of flock health.

Certifications That Build Trust

How Scratch and Peck maintains transparency, quality, and responsible sourcing

Every feed produced by Scratch and Peck is certified organic. This means clean grains, no synthetic pesticides, and no artificial ingredients. It also reflects a commitment to real food farming.

This certification requires regular independent testing to confirm that the feed contains no genetically modified ingredients. It is one of the most widely respected assurances of clean sourcing.

Scratch and Peck partners with farmers and suppliers across North America who share their commitment to premium quality and sustainable agriculture.

Their feed is developed with guidance from veterinarians, farmers, scientists, and researchers who practice responsible and humane farming.

As a B Corp, Scratch and Peck upholds high standards for environmental responsibility, community support, and ethical business practices.

These certifications offer peace of mind and affirm that every step from sourcing to production is held to the highest standard.

How Clean Nutrition Improves Egg Quality

Why better ingredients create stronger, richer, healthier eggs

Egg quality is one of the clearest reflections of a hen’s overall health. When birds receive steady nutrition from clean, balanced ingredients, their eggs improve in both visible quality and nutritional value.

Stronger shells result from balanced calcium and mineral levels. Richer yolks develop through natural fats, oils, and omega nutrients. Consistent laying happens when birds maintain a stable metabolism supported by high quality protein sources. Birds also maintain healthier feathers, brighter eyes, and better immunity, which all contribute to their general vitality.

What Real Chicken Keepers Are Saying

Honest feedback from owners who made the switch

“My hens lay more consistently and their shells feel noticeably stronger.”

“The clean ingredients make all the difference. My flock eats every bit.”

“The feather health improvement was obvious. They look brighter and more active.”

Key Benefits of Organic Layer Crumbles

What makes this feed one of the most trusted choices for chicken keepers

Supports Consistent Nutritious Egg Production

This formula provides balanced protein, clean organic grains, and essential micronutrients that help support hens nutritionally throughout the entire year. While laying cycles naturally follow seasonal daylight patterns, the right nutrition helps hens stay healthy, maintain resilience, and produce strong, high quality eggs when their bodies are ready.

Perfect Size and Formulation for Any Breed

The crumble texture makes feeding easy for chickens and ducks of various breeds and sizes. Large birds, small birds, and heritage varieties all peck comfortably and absorb nutrients efficiently when they have reached laying age.

Organic Non-GMO and High Quality Ingredients

Every ingredient is thoughtfully sourced and certified to be clean, real, and free from synthetic additives. Although crumbles are not classified as whole grain feed, they are made from organic grains, natural oils, and high quality nutrient sources that support long term flock health and vitality.

Soy Free and Corn Free Formulation

This feed avoids common fillers and heavy grains that can overwhelm digestion. Birds stay comfortable, active, and consistent with a formula designed for natural balance.

Clean Products Build Trust

Trust is built when a brand consistently delivers clean products, transparent sourcing, and reliable nutrition. Scratch and Peck has earned that trust through years of honest formulas and a commitment to quality over convenience.

Chicken keepers value feeds that feel real, smell real, and show real results in the health of their birds. When hens are fed organic ingredients and balanced micronutrients, the changes are visible in their behavior, energy, egg quality, and overall wellbeing.

Scratch and Peck focuses on delivering that experience from the first scoop to the last. Their feed is not only nutrition. It is a promise that what you give your flock is safe, clean, and grounded in nature.

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Sarah M.

Chicago, IL