Chicken Scratch

[mrchicken]

When can I give my chickens scratch?
They are 1 wk old.

 

[they'reHISchickens]

They can scratch with chick feed- put it down on toweling. But for grownup type of scratch, I'd wait until they are 3 months or so at least. I have 6 week olds that I think about giving chicken scratch, but I don't think they can handle the large whole grain pieces yet.

 

[CowgirlPenny]

Yah I give my older chicks (5 and 6 weeks) their starter on the ground (as well as their feeder), gives them something to look for and they find all kinds of goodies while they are pecking for the scratch. I would wait on actual scratch for 1 week olds though.

 

[A.T. Hagan]

For chicks still in the brooder I give them rolled oats as chick scratch. Gives them something to do, keeps the bedding turned up and fluffy, and I don't have to feed grit since it is easily digested. Once they are on the ground I give them regular scratch (whole corn, wheat, oats).