Scratch Grains @ 12 wks ?

[J Fox]

At what age can chicks start getting scratch grains etc? Seems to me they are ready at 12 weeks but wanted to make sure... Thanks

 

[PADeutzguy]

I'm far from an expert, but I have a grain farm, so mine get lots of grain thrown in the run, from as early as 3 weeks they were eating whole kernel corn, heritage types, red and blue corn, not junk yellow GMO corn. Take that for what it's worth.

 

[Pork Pie]

If your 12 week olds are out in a run, or free ranging then they should have grit in their crop from pecking around in the soil etc, which helps break down food. Assuming so, they will be fine. Heres a link about grit that you may find useful.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/891051/the-science-of-feeding-grit-to-poultry

CT