How old before feeding scratch?

[In2Ice]

I have 4, 7 week old chicks. They are on a diet of Grower Nutrena Grower Crumbles. Is it too early to start introducing them to scratch in their run?

 

[KIDDSBANTAMS]

As long as you mix grit in with the scratch it is fine. They need grit to grind it up.

 

[Fred's Hens]

Your chicks are very young. They still need their high content starter/grower. There's no rush on the scratch.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

I have found that for my chickens the young ones around the age of yours tend to stand there with a "huh?" expression on their faces when I put treats and different things on the ground for them. If I mix a few things into the feed they eat it, though.

I would keep their protein level nice and high since they are still in that rapidly growing phase...scratch will decrease the total protein percentage for the day's feed. A little bit wouldn't hurt and might be fun for your family or for you to give them, though. But they don't need it really.