When to feed Grit

[pgras123]

Please Help. Our 9 girls are about 8 weeks old and yesterday the were taken from the cage and put in the hen house, today they are going to experience the run for the first time. I have been using the medicated chick starter crumbles and am using that up and changing to the next feed bag. They will be in a 30 X 8 run and often out on the property when I am home. But when should I start the Grit, is it too soon? Thanks to all.

 

[ascott1978]

Personally, I would wait till there at least 3 months old before switching feeds, but thats just my opinion.

 

[ascott1978]

I say that because I don't like to change the diet on young birds until the system can handle it better.

Actually, I have 10 barred rock chicks now that are on egglayer scratch right now, just because that what I feed the others. I never had them on start grow or anything from the beginning.

 

[ascott1978]

My BR are currently 10 weeks

 

[MRNpoultry]

If they are out on your property they will have enough grit. When they are walking around they will find little rocks and dirt.

Are they on pellets or crumble?

 

[MRNpoultry]

By the way welcome to byc.

 

[pgras123]

Thanks for the welcome, they are on crumbles. The chick starter crumbles, I am going to switch them to the next bag at the coop? I think it is for layers and when should I start with the scratch?

They got to experience the outdoors for the first time today, pretty neat to hang out with my 5 year old, 16 mo old wife and the chickens!

 

[pgras123]

Oh yeah, forgot to mention we have 2 Buff Oprh, 2 Barred Plymouth Rock, 2 Astrolorps, 1 rhoad Island red, 1 red sex link ,and 1 black sex link.

 

[ascott1978]

One of the best things I ever did was get chickens. My daughter and I gather eggs together in the evenings. It's great quality time together, even if it only last for a minute or two.

 

[MRNpoultry]

The chick starter crumbles, I am going to switch them to the next bag at the coop? I think it is for layers and when should I start with the scratch?

I whouldn't give them layer to they are at least 16 weeks. That still might be to much calcium for them since they ain't laying. I can't rember when they can have scratch.​