When?

[orpingFun]

When do you suggest I should give my chicks chicken scratch?

 

[drumstick diva]

How old are your chicks? Give them a few weeks before you start scratch. Also extras (treats) should only be about 10% of their food. They will turn their beaks up at their starter feed and prefer scratch like kids would prefer candy to healthy foods.

 

[TwoCrows]

Welcome to BYC!

I would wait until they are 6 weeks of age and even then, go very easy on the treats for a few months so they can get their nutrition from their feed. Chicks and chickens need incredible amounts of vitamins and minerals to keep them healthy and their feed is perfectly formulated for that. Keep all treats down to 10% of the diet.

Here is our treats chart on what you can feed your birds. It is best to chop these things up to bite sized pieces so they can eat them...

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/chicken-treat-chart-the-best-treats-for-backyard-chickens

Enjoy this new adventure you are on and welcome to our flock!

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome To BYC! X3, chicks need their balanced diet, so go easy on the treats especially in young birds, I usually wait until they are a couple of weeks old before trying a little scratch.

 

[gander007]

X 4

 

[sourland]

Welcome to BYC X 5 on the advice already given.

 

[BantamFan4Life]

Welcome to BYC! Glad you joined us!