How old before they can have scratch?

[SoccerMomof7]

I have scratch for my older girls I was just wondering how old do they have to be before I give them just a little scratch?

 

[william9792]

i give mine scratch at 5 weeks old

 

[walkswithdog]

Well, since I never did find a way to give a momma hen scratch that the darn little things didn't grab some... 2 days. I probably wouldn't really choose to give it to a brooder full all on their own at anything younger than a couple of weeks and only a little.

I prefer brooded chicks get gamebird feed, any treat fed should be really high quality that's a tiny crop and a really fast metabolism. Scratch is like giving them cookies. You don't feed infants cookies for a meal for a reason.

Cooked egg yolk mixed with crumble and yogurt is what I use as treat as they grow. Still getting good stuff, good for them.

 

[SoccerMomof7]

I actually tried to give them yogurt but they wouldn't even try it.

 

[Southernbelle]

Quote:
Ain't that the truth!

The mamas even hold back from eating it themselves and scratch around it, calling to the babies to come eat it. I just make sure the babies get some grit with their chick food.