When do you start giving your chicks grit?

[Deltaanne]

My chicks are about 2 & a half weeks old and some are about a week old. Today when changing the pine shavings I added a little sweet PDZ to help neutralize any odors and keep it as odorless as possible. They instantly started running around scratching at the PDZ granules that I had kinda shuffled underneath their pine shavings and started pecking at it and eating it. It's an all natural PDZ from Tractor Supply. I was just curious if this means they're ready for grit or if theyre lacking anything? They're still on the normal Dumor unmedicated chick starter. Any thoughts or advice appreciated!

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I provide baby chick grit about three days before I plan to start giving treats, like mealworms or chopped lettuce or table scraps of any kind. So, when they are about two weeks old. We don't feed many treats or snacks, but I do want to expose them fairly early, so I don't create "fussy eaters," lol! If I do have a little table scraps to share, I want the chickens to clean them up - I do NOT want raccoons or opossums to come lurking around looking for freebies and handouts. And definitely not skunks!!! So start 'em early, sez I! But not so much they don't eat their good all-flock. Dinner first, then dessert!

 

[Deltaanne]

Haha! Thank you so much for the feedback, I believe I will look for some grit the next time I go shopping.

 

[Cindy in PA]

I have always given grit by day 2 or 3. Years ago I read that I should put it on their food like you are salting it, very sparingly. Later on I will give them a bowl. I don't really give any treats until week 4-5, but the chicks could consume some bedding & that is why I give it early.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/the-science-of-feeding-grit-to-poultry.891051/rPage.aspx