Pullets-what/when

[Jeffomatic]

I've been raising my four Australorp pullets on chick starter crumbles (expensive.) They are now 8 weeks or so, all feathered and getting to be over a pound each. When I got them, I bought a 50 lb. bag of what looks like cracked wheat for $7.50 because the lady had a lot of it to sell. I am guessing it's "chicken scratch." The question is: If they are free-ranging in my big area I have for them, and eating lots of tender greens and bugs, can I just feed them the scratch and expect that to be sufficient nutrition until they get ready to lay? (Then I'll give them laying pellets)

 

[canada-goose]

No, scratch is basically chicken candy. They need starter or grower feed.

 

[Jeffomatic]

Thanks! I'll get some. I want them to get nice and big. (They're supposed to get up to six or seven pounds!)

 

[flockof4]

Yeah, stick with the starter/grower for their main ration and offer the cracked wheat as a treat.