Scratch for chicks?

[WestoftheRest]

I have built a small tractor to put my chicks in while I do chores around the house. Would it be alright to throw out some scratch to keep them occupied or are they still to young? One set is 4 weeks old and the others are 2 weeks old. No need to worry about the temperature, it is supposed to be in the mid 80s today.

TIA

 

[GC-Raptor]

I didn't offer scratch till 8 weeks, or any other treat.
Chick Starter has the nutrition they need to grow up healthy and strong.
Offer them some Chick Grit size Granite to grind up the grass and bugs they will find and eat while outside. GC

 

[obicat]

at 4 weeks mine are having very small amounts of scratch. By 6 weeks they are out in the coop with the adults so I like to prepare them for that.

 

[WestoftheRest]

I live in the desert, no such thing as grass. My property is pretty sandy with some sparse bunch grasses and desert shrubs. Back when they still shipped cattle via railroad my property was a holding trap for steers. There would 1000s of head in a small area. This left it severely over grazed and still to this day hasn’t recovered. Maybe I will just scatter some starter around for them. Just want them to have something to scratch around for.

 

[chickens really]

Yes it's fine just make sure they get some grit in the form of small stones or pebbles...