6 week of Chicks

[mdohertyjr]

We have 6 week old chicks, they moved outside a few weeks ago, and we are slowly allowing them outside (we are up to 3.5 hours a day) and they have a grass/dirt/sand area to walk around with. In this area, we have comfrey plants and they are pecking and eating the comfrey.

So, do they need grit or scratch, are they too young, and when should we introduce them to both?

We plan on letting them outside for 4-5 hours today and then ramping them up as the week goes on. It's supposed to be in the low to mid eighties by the end of the week.

 

[DobieLover]

We have 6 week old chicks, they moved outside a few weeks ago, and we are slowly allowing them outside (we are up to 3.5 hours a day) and they have a grass/dirt/sand area to walk around with. In this area, we have comfrey plants and they are pecking and eating the comfrey.

So, do they need grit or scratch, are they too young, and when should we introduce them to both?

We plan on letting them outside for 4-5 hours today and then ramping them up as the week goes on. It's supposed to be in the low to mid eighties by the end of the week.

They should be getting grit from scratching through the soil and eating the stones they find. It wouldn't hurt to put out some small size grit for them.
When you write you are slowly increasing their outdoor time, does that mean outside of their secure outdoor run or out of the coop? Can you post pictures of your setup?

 

[mdohertyjr]

They should be getting grit from scratching through the soil and eating the stones they find. It wouldn't hurt to put out some small size grit for them.
When you write you are slowly increasing their outdoor time, does that mean outside of their secure outdoor run or out of the coop? Can you post pictures of your setup?

No, they have a large area that is secure. I took a snap of the area from my zoomed in backyard camera.

 

[NatJ]

Yes, they need to have grit in their gizzards to digest the comfrey.

You can provide a container of grit if you want, although it is probably not necessary in your case. Chickens naturally get their own grit by eating small rocks, and you say their area has dirt/sand, so they can probably get their own from the ground.

Scratch is usually corn and other grains that people sprinkle on the ground for the chickens to pick up and eat. If your chickens are eating a complete chicken food, they do not need scratch at any time. It can be fun for you and them to give some scratch, but eating a large amount can cause them to eat less of the complete food, and then they do not get enough of the protein and vitamins and minerals they do need.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Grit I start providing from day 1. There's no reason not to give it to them and most chicks ingest everything from bugs to bedding, all of which benefit from grit to help break down and pass through.

Scratch is simply chicken candy. They don't "need" it but if you want to give them a little for training or because your kids want to hand feed them, keep the amount moderate (10% or less of their daily food intake).

No, they have a large area that is secure. I took a snap of the area from my zoomed in backyard camera.

Still not sure if you mean 3.5 out in the run, or outside of the run (i.e. the rest of your yard).

If you mean in the run, your chicks don't need to be restricted at this age, they can have full run access as long as the run is finished and fully secured.