Best Chicken Scratch and Treats
Updated How we research
Scratch and treats are foraging tools more than they are nutrition. They get birds moving, turning litter and coming when called, which makes handling and health checks far easier. What varies is the grain mix and particle size, whether the blend is mostly cracked corn, how fresh it arrives, and how much dust and fines sit at the bottom of the bag once you open it up. We weighed ingredient quality and grain variety, particle size that suits standard hens as well as bantams, packaging that keeps the mix dry, and cost per pound. Treats should stay a small share of what the flock eats so complete feed still does the real work. Cracked corn and grain blends suit daily scattering. Dried insect and seed mixes suit training, taming and winter enrichment.
The short version
We compared 8 picks. Our scores range from 7.4 to 8.4 out of 10.
- Best overall:Manna Pro Ultimate Chicken Scratch Feed, Nutrient-Rich Scratch Grain Treat for Chickens and Poultry, 10 lb Bag. Highest overall score in this guide at 8.4/10.
- Also great value:Premium Poultry Chicken Scratch Grain for Chickens, Ducks & Turkeys, Natural 3-Grain Scratch Feed Treat, 40 lbs. Value score of 9/10, overall 7.8/10.
- Solid build:Supreme Grubs Natural Black Soldier Fly Larvae for Chickens, High Protein Grub Treats for Hens, 5 lb. Build and materials score of 8/10, overall 8.4/10.
- Feature-rich:MBTP Bulk Dried Mealworms - Treats for Chickens & Wild Birds, 5 Lbs. Features score of 7/10, overall 7.9/10.
Scores are our editorial assessment, not customer ratings. How we score
Manna Pro Ultimate Chicken Scratch Feed, Nutrient-Rich Scratch Grain Treat for Chickens and Poultry, 10 lb Bag
Manna Pro's Ultimate chicken scratch in a 10 lb bag, a nutrient-rich scratch grain treat for chickens and poultry.
Our score8.4/10Budget
Supreme Grubs Natural Black Soldier Fly Larvae for Chickens, High Protein Grub Treats for Hens, 5 lb
Supreme Grubs black soldier fly larvae in a 5 lb bag, a natural high protein grub treat for backyard hens.
Our score8.4/10Budget
#1Manna Pro's Ultimate chicken scratch in a 10 lb bag, a nutrient-rich scratch grain treat for chickens and poultry.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + Manna Pro is a widely stocked poultry feed and treat brand
- + 10 lb bag balances freshness and value for a backyard flock
- + Nutrient-rich blend adds interest beyond plain cracked corn
- - Still a treat, so too much can dilute layer feed protein and calcium
- - Check the ingredient blend if your flock is picky about treats
#2Supreme Grubs Natural Black Soldier Fly Larvae for Chickens, High Protein Grub Treats for Hens, 5 lb
Supreme Grubs black soldier fly larvae in a 5 lb bag, a natural high protein grub treat for backyard hens.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + Black soldier fly larvae are a popular alternative to mealworms
- + 5 lb bag gives a good supply for regular flock treats
- + High protein grubs help support hens through molt and cold months
- - Grub treats cost more per pound than scratch grains
- - Too many rich treats can reduce how much balanced feed hens eat
#3MBTP bulk dried mealworms in a 5 Lbs bag, a high-value protein treat for chickens and wild birds.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Dried mealworms are a favorite treat that helps hens during molt
- + 5 Lbs bulk bag lasts a small flock a long time at treat portions
- + Doubles as wild bird food, so nothing goes to waste
- - Rich protein treat should be limited to avoid unbalancing the diet
- - Bulk bag needs resealing well to keep moisture and moths out
#4A 40 lbs bulk bag of natural 3-Grain scratch feed for chickens, ducks and turkeys, aimed at larger flocks.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10
- + 40 lbs bulk size lowers the cost per scoop for big flocks
- + 3-Grain mix suits chickens, ducks and turkeys on the same homestead
- + Large bag means fewer store runs through the busy season
- - Big bag needs a rodent-proof bin or it will attract pests
- - Can go stale before use if you only keep a few hens
#5Country Heritage scratch grains in a 10 lb bag, a natural poultry supplement suited to chickens, ducks and game birds.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Natural scratch grain works for chickens, ducks and game birds alike
- + 10 lb bag size suits mixed flocks without buying huge sacks
- + Useful for training birds to come when you shake the scoop
- - Lesser-known brand, so grain mix may vary between batches
- - Grain treats can attract rodents if scattered and left uneaten
#6Hatortempt bulk dried mealworms in a 5 lb bag, a high protein treat for laying hens, ducks and backyard birds.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Suits laying hens and ducks, so mixed flocks can share one treat
- + 5 lb bag keeps protein treats on hand for weeks of use
- + Dried worms are handy for taming flighty birds by hand feeding
- - Should stay a small share of the diet, not a feed replacement
- - Crumbly dried worms leave dust at the bottom of the bag
#7LEACH GRAIN & MILLING CO. chicken scratch in a 5 Lbs bag, natural whole grains for tossing to laying hens as treats.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 7/10
- + Whole grain scratch encourages hens to forage and scratch naturally
- + 5 Lbs bag is a manageable size that stays fresh for small flocks
- + Milling company brand suggests a grain-focused, simple product
- - Scratch is a treat, not a complete feed, so ration it carefully
- - Small bag runs out quickly if you feed a larger flock daily
#8rinlex dried mealworms in a 5 lbs bag, high protein dried worms sold for chickens and wild birds.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 6/10 · Value 8/10
- + High protein worms make a strong reward during molting season
- + 5 lbs size is practical for regular treats without constant reordering
- + Dry, shelf-stable treat is easy to store and hand out
- - Lesser-known brand, so origin and freshness details are unclear
- - Hens can get pushy about treats if they are given too often
Before you buy: trade-offs we flagged
No pick is perfect. These are the main compromises we noted for the top products in this guide, so you can check they will not matter for you.
- Still a treat, so too much can dilute layer feed protein and calcium (Manna Pro Ultimate Chicken Scratch Feed,...)
- Grub treats cost more per pound than scratch grains (Supreme Grubs Natural Black Soldier Fly...)
- Rich protein treat should be limited to avoid unbalancing the diet (MBTP Bulk Dried Mealworms - Treats for...)
- Big bag needs a rodent-proof bin or it will attract pests (Premium Poultry Chicken Scratch Grain for...)
- Lesser-known brand, so grain mix may vary between batches (Country Heritage Scratch Grains 10 lb Bag,...)
- Should stay a small share of the diet, not a feed replacement (Hatortempt Bulk Dried Mealworms 5 lb Bag -...)
Frequently asked questions
›What is the best choice among chicken scratch and treats?
Manna Pro Ultimate Chicken Scratch Feed, Nutrient-Rich Scratch Grain Treat for Chickens and Poultry, 10 lb Bag is our top overall pick. Manna Pro's Ultimate chicken scratch in a 10 lb bag, a nutrient-rich scratch grain treat for chickens and poultry. It earns our score of 8.4/10, based on fit for the job, features, build and value.
›What is a good budget option?
Supreme Grubs Natural Black Soldier Fly Larvae for Chickens, High Protein Grub Treats for Hens, 5 lb is the strongest low-cost pick in this guide. Supreme Grubs black soldier fly larvae in a 5 lb bag, a natural high protein grub treat for backyard hens.
›How much should I expect to spend?
Picks in this guide span $ price bands (roughly: $ = under $30, $$ = $30 to $100, $$$ = over $100). We never display exact prices because they change constantly, so the buttons above always show Amazon's current price.
›How were these products chosen?
We shortlist products that fit the job this guide solves and compare their published specifications, such as size, capacity, materials and what is included. Each pick gets an editorial score out of 10 for fit, features, build and value, and we write the pros and cons from those details. Our score is not an Amazon customer rating. We earn a commission if you buy through our links, which never affects the ranking.
Chicken Coop Nest independently selects every product; we may earn a commission from links above.
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