Where to Find Chick Grit Without Calcium?

You can give them coarse sand, like builder's sand also. Or, if possible, just put a pile of soil in their brooder for them to scratch in and peck. They'll find rough bits in there too.

Wow, that surprises me that feed stores wouldn't know that chicks need grit.  All the feed stores I've been to here in Vermont carry it, along with regular grit.  I had chickens in Seattle years ago, too, and had no difficulty finding chick grit.  Here is the kind the feed store I usually go to carries: http://www.mannapro.com/products/poultry/poultry-grit-chick-grit/   It's finely crushed granite, so no calcium.  

It's true that you don't want to give your young birds excess calcium.  They have just what they need in their starter and grower feed and any extra can cause kidney problems down the road.  Also, according to my book, Feeding Poultry by G. F. Heuser (republication from 1955 by Norton Creek Press), "Some [minerals] are detrimental in large amounts.  For instance, too much calcium will retard growth and increase mortality in chicks and decrease production and hatchability."  This information was referenced to Black, D. J. G.  A comparison of some methods of supplying calcium to intensively kept chicks.  Jour. Agr. Sci. 36:199. 1946.

Where I live you can buy the Manna Pro chick grit at walmart.
 

just get some regular grit and mash it up into some smaller pieces.     That's all that "chick grit" is and the amount they actually need to eat is pretty small.   You likely won't even be able to tell if they have taken some.   :)  

Quote:

Originally Posted by dainerra 

just get some regular grit and mash it up into some smaller pieces.     That's all that "chick grit" is and the amount they actually need to eat is pretty small.   You likely won't even be able to tell if they have taken some.   :)  

That's a good idea, but grit is usually granite--Manna Pro is--and it would be impossible to mash it up without going to extremes.  Easier to just get it as pre-ground.

Quote:

Originally Posted by californiachicks 

I just ordered chick grit on line through McMurray Hatchery. They informed me that their chick grit does not contain calcium. So I'm good to go. Thanks!

Yay!  Maybe you could talk with your local feed store about carrying it so you don't have to order it online and pay shipping every time...

I have a bag of crushed "CherryStone"  ...apparently it's crushed quartzite and usable as chicken grit. I got it at the local coop. Huge bag for 8 bucks.