I'd never give any scratch till they're almost two months old and even then, there is really no need for it. I start using it as a training tool to get them to come to the sound of the can shaking. Makes it easier to round them up usually. I'd say keep scratch and cracked corn to a minimum-they'll usually fill up on that, thereby reducing their protein content in the overall diet. As chicks, nutrition is more important than as adults so they can get a healthy start in life. Plenty of time for treats later on. Anytime you feed them anything other than their crumbles, they will need fine grit added unless they have access to pebbles and the like in the soil. That said, many old timers fed their birds mixed grains before we had all this scientifically formulated commercial feed around for every stage of life. Just remember the protein content and not to give calcium too early in the form of layer feed or oyster shell. Too early to me is anytime before 18 weeks old or they start laying.
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