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Grit for Digestion?

post #1 of 2
5/21/12 at 12:18pm
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My chickens are cooped up...no free range.  What do I need to provide for their digestion they would normally get through digesting grit from the ground?  I heard I need to purchase some stuff for them to eat, like gravel.  What is it?  Would sand work?  I feed them back their shells. Is that enough?  I have some gravel used to spread over the lawn called Pelletized Dolomite Lime that is a source of magnesium and calcium.  It is not feed grade, but can they eat that or is that unsafe for animals?

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post #2 of 2
5/21/12 at 3:44pm
Sand is okay, but it is often very polished and very similar in size. At the feed store I just bought a bag of grit. It is granite that is varied in size and not polished. i put it in with their food once a week, and they eat what they want and leave the rest. I dont dump it out of the feeder, just leave it for the next day because they typically finish almost all their food. I bring it in the house overnight. By the end of the week they have eaten it all. I give about 1/3 cup each week. They have daily access to sand here.

I am not sure on the lime. Dont give it to them until you research that. It makes a big difference what type it is!
I'm not a rooster, but I reserve the right to crow!   1 husband who wants a rooster and will not get it, one son who flew the coop, one lovely german shepherd, one amazing adopted farm dog, three gold sex links, two who hit 17 weeks old the first week of July and laid first eggs 7-15-12!!
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I'm not a rooster, but I reserve the right to crow!   1 husband who wants a rooster and will not get it, one son who flew the coop, one lovely german shepherd, one amazing adopted farm dog, three gold sex links, two who hit 17 weeks old the first week of July and laid first eggs 7-15-12!!
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