when can i feed chickens scratch as a treat?

[nannie]

my 5 pullets are about 11 weeks old .my rooster is about 6weeks old.they all live togeather in peace and harmony. I need to know can I feed them scratch,as a treat now.also when do I change their food from chick starter/grower to laying pellets? help

 

[Judy]

A little scratch now should be OK, assuming they have grit free choice. Starter/grower is intended to be fed til they start laying. You can actually feed it to adults, too. I used to do this because it had a little more protein and because I had baby chicks in the flock. You can also feed the flock a flock raiser. Of course if you're not feeding layer, it's even more important to offer oyster shell separately. I wouldn't switch to layer til around 20 weeks, myself.

 

[nannie]

thanks for the information