Avigrain Scratch Mix

Avigrain Scratch Mix 20kg: Supplemented Grain Feed for Backyard Poultry

Avigrain Scratch Mix is Avigrain's original, top-selling supplemented grain diet for backyard poultry. It's a natural, grain-based alternative to plain manufactured feeds, and it's a firm favourite with backyard chicken keepers who want their hens to enjoy their food and forage naturally while still getting balanced nutrition. It's 100% Australian owned and made, from a family business operating since 1987.

More Than Just Scratch

It's worth understanding what sets this apart from ordinary "scratch." Plain scratch grain is really just a treat, grains alone are deficient in the vitamins and minerals hens need. Avigrain Scratch Mix is different: it includes free-range layer pellets (minimum 16% protein, a complete feed with a vitamin and mineral premix) blended through the grains, which is what makes it a supplemented, more complete grain-based feed rather than just a treat. The grains are lightly coated in oils for palatability and a bit of extra fat, which birds love.

The whole-grain approach also has a health benefit: unlike fine manufactured feeds, whole grains make the gizzard work to grind the feed, which supports good gut health, and the mix encourages natural foraging and scratching behaviour that keeps hens active and content.

Ingredients & Analysis

Contains wheat, sorghum (milo), cracked corn, corn, free-range layer pellets (min 16% protein), black sunflower and/or shell grit.

Typical analysis (as fed): protein 12% min, fat 4% min, fibre 5% max, salt under 0.3%, energy 3000 kcal/kg. Avigrain does not use restricted animal material (RAM), and the mix is RAM-free, GM-free and dust-free.

How to Feed

Feed around 80 to 150 g per bird per day, adjusting for your hens' age, breed, the season, day length, whether they're moulting and how much they forage. Provide constant access to fresh, clean water, and offer shell grit or a calcium source separately for strong eggshells. While Scratch Mix is supplemented, hens do best with access to green feed, pasture and household scraps as well, which round out the diet and keep them laying well.

Key Features & Benefits

• Avigrain's original, top-selling supplemented grain diet

• Grains blended with layer pellets for added vitamins and minerals

• Lightly oil-coated grains for palatability and energy

• Encourages natural foraging and scratching behaviour

• Supports gut health through whole-grain feeding

• RAM-free, GM-free and dust-free

• 12% min protein, 3000 kcal/kg energy

• 100% Australian owned and made

• Available in 1kg, 2kg, 4kg and 20kg

Frequently Asked Questions

What's in Avigrain Scratch Mix?
Wheat, sorghum (milo), cracked corn, corn, free-range layer pellets (min 16% protein), and black sunflower and/or shell grit. The layer pellets add the vitamins and minerals that grain alone lacks.

Is Scratch Mix a complete feed or a treat?
It's a supplemented grain-based feed, more complete than plain scratch because it includes layer pellets. That said, hens do best when it's paired with access to green feed, pasture, scraps and a separate calcium source.

How much should I feed my chickens?
Around 80 to 150 g per bird per day, depending on age, breed, season, day length, foraging access and whether they're moulting. Always provide fresh, clean water.

What's the protein content?
The typical analysis is a minimum 12% protein and 4% fat, with 3000 kcal/kg of energy.

Why choose a grain mix over manufactured pellets?
Whole grains are more palatable and appetising to hens, encourage natural foraging, and make the gizzard work, which supports gut health. Manufactured pellets are simpler but blander, and don't offer the same foraging benefit.

Is it free from restricted animal material?
Yes. Avigrain does not use restricted animal material (RAM), and the mix is RAM-free, GM-free and dust-free.

Do I still need to provide grit and greens?
Yes. Offer shell grit or a calcium source separately for eggshell strength, and give your hens access to greens, pasture and scraps where possible for a well-rounded diet.

What sizes does it come in?
1kg, 2kg, 4kg and 20kg, with the 20kg bag suited to larger flocks.