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When is purchased grit necessary?

post #1 of 11
5/8/12 at 6:07am
Thread Starter 

I've got four 10-week old pullets and I just ran out of their baby-grit.  They're housed in a coop at night but are in a 10x10 area outside all day.  The outdoor run is dirt (i turn it over occassionally so it doesn't hardpan) with some sand on one end.

 

What I'm wondering is if I need to supply them with grit since they're out pecking in that dirt all day?  I don't feed them a ton of table scraps (they don't seem to be very interested) so they mostly eat feed and whatever they find in the ground.

 

Do I need to buy more grit and keep them stocked?  Or, is what they pick up in the run (and the sand) good enough?

 

Any advice would be great, thanks!

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post #2 of 11
5/8/12 at 6:12am

Hello!

 

You're thinking is spot on, they'll get their grit from the dirt and sand you've got in your chicken run. 

Proud owner of some nice show quality Buckeyes and Silver Penciled Plymouth Rocks.  I love gardening and being outdoors.  I'm lucky to have a great family, and two cute dogs.  I live out in the country on six wooded acres and it's just paradise!  (Except the mortgage payment and bills, of course)

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Proud owner of some nice show quality Buckeyes and Silver Penciled Plymouth Rocks.  I love gardening and being outdoors.  I'm lucky to have a great family, and two cute dogs.  I live out in the country on six wooded acres and it's just paradise!  (Except the mortgage payment and bills, of course)

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post #3 of 11
5/8/12 at 6:21am

Morning Bob!  They may be able to find all they need in the soil, but it won't hurt to give them a bowl full to choose if they wish.  I have two black feeder cups that I bought at TSC that hang on the wire and I keep grit in both of them.  I have to replace it occasionally so someone is using it and mine free range over 23 acres!  As for the table scraps, they will like them better when they get a bit older.  Try really yummy treats like scrambled eggs or cooked grits (do you eat grits in MI? LOL)  Bread and meat scraps are also a hit with mine.  I gave my birds the carcuss from the Christmas turkey and they went nuts!  It was funny to watch them sneak up and grab a piece and run with several others in hot pursuit.  Then they all gathered around and tore it to shreds then picked the bones clean.  That struck me as somewhat macabre and a little scary!  Don't forget that you will need some crushed oyster for calcium when they get to be 6 or 7 months old!  GL!

 

"If a little is great, and a lot is better, then way too much is just about right!”
                                                                                                  ― Mae West

 

I didn't know Mae knew about chicken math!  D.gif

 

 

 

 

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"If a little is great, and a lot is better, then way too much is just about right!”
                                                                                                  ― Mae West

 

I didn't know Mae knew about chicken math!  D.gif

 

 

 

 

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post #4 of 11
5/8/12 at 6:57am

I offer it, if they eat it I am not sure but it's there if they want it 

http://lunation.reiddust.com/wordpress/

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http://lunation.reiddust.com/wordpress/

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post #5 of 11
5/8/12 at 7:45am
Thread Starter 

Thanks everyone!  It sounds like it's not a bad idea to have it, but I shouldn't stress about it if I run out and they don't have it for a week or so.  I'll probably pick some up with the feed today and rig up a little fence-dish for it.

 

Happy Tuesday everyone! :)

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post #6 of 11
5/8/12 at 9:13am
Pick up some calcium while your out, I assume you are raising layers for eggs.
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post #7 of 11
5/8/12 at 9:46am

they're only 10 weeks old, it'll take a while before they need calicum

http://lunation.reiddust.com/wordpress/

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http://lunation.reiddust.com/wordpress/

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post #8 of 11
5/8/12 at 10:35am
Thread Starter 

Yeah, I'm going to wait on the calcium....but on a related note I thought of while giving them water this morning.  We have Detroit city water here and I've been giving them that.  I mentally question the switch to rain water from a barrel instead, but then I realized they add calcium to the city water...seems like a good thing for layers.  Anyone ever thought about that?

 

I may create a new thread to get people's take, but it seems like it could get a little controversial (purists vs. "they're just chickens people" :)

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post #9 of 11
5/9/12 at 1:29pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by bobchristenson View Post

Yeah, I'm going to wait on the calcium....but on a related note I thought of while giving them water this morning.  We have Detroit city water here and I've been giving them that.  I mentally question the switch to rain water from a barrel instead, but then I realized they add calcium to the city water...seems like a good thing for layers.  Anyone ever thought about that?

 

I may create a new thread to get people's take, but it seems like it could get a little controversial (purists vs. "they're just chickens people" :)

That is a very good question.  Maybe someone here could give us some insight on the subject.  caf.gif

We are what we repeatedly do.  Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit.

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We are what we repeatedly do.  Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit.

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post #10 of 11
5/10/12 at 7:10am

I have never heard of city water systems adding calcium to water, but many of them have elaborate filter systems to remove excess calcium.  If you feed your chickens layer feed, you don't need to add calcium at all.

It takes a really smart chicken to be smarter than no chicken at all.
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It takes a really smart chicken to be smarter than no chicken at all.
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BackYard Chickens › BYC Forum › Raising BackYard Chickens › Feeding & Watering Your Flock › When is purchased grit necessary?