Whole Wheat and Barley Kernels?

[shellyjimrye]

What age can chicks handle whole wheat and barley? My flock is almost 7 weeks old. They do have access to grit but I wasnt sure if they could eat that yet. Also the black Oil Sunflower seeds. Thanks in advance!

 

[Den in Penn]

I have a broody with a chick and she had it out eating scratch at four weeks. Going by that yours at seven weeks should be able to handle small grains and maybe the BOSS too.

 

[maggierose]

What age can chicks handle whole wheat and barley? My flock is almost 7 weeks old. They do have access to grit but I wasnt sure if they could eat that yet. Also the black Oil Sunflower seeds. Thanks in advance!

mine have been eating "starter grit" since I brought them home... it's a finer grit than adult grit, I guess. I wanted them to have super gizzards! I mixed about a tablespoon in their feed when they were little peeps, and now that they free range more (at 6 weeks) they eat rocks, pebbles, grass kernels, spiders, earwigs... you name it, plus of course their regular medicated chick feed and lots of fresh water. Hope this helps!

 

[shellyjimrye]

Thank you both for your responses. They all eat the wheat, boss, barley with no problem. They go nuts for it in fact. I am just not wanting them to get too ahead of where they should be. Of course I am still feeding them the medicated chick starter as well. Thanks again so much!