Another grit question....

I think the sand should be good enough.  If they are eating and pooing regularly, sounds like its working well!

I asked about all purpose sand a few days ago and only got one response. Dlhunicorn said this on 6/14:

no...sand will not replace grit...if they DO eat it it will often cause crop problems (they normally dont though if their is a source of grit available).   I use the natural anise scented type for cage birds and my birdies always smell so good from it

Now I am totally confused! HELP!

Ok, I think it all depends on the size of the sand. Is the sand in your run really fine? If so then it will do just fine for use as grit. If it is not fine and kind of pebbly, then it can cause crop problems. If it is pebbly like that then get grit for birds. I buy the stuff for indoor birds. It is 2 bucks for a box and it lasts a while.
Kristyne

the "rough grade" sand (so not super fine) will provide some grit but if you can get pigeon grit/chicken grit and offer it in a bowl then the birds will usually luv to peck around in it and find "just" that " right" shape and size...it is a good way to keep them occupied too ...(better to peck around in a bowl of grit than each other!)

How much grit will a pullet consume?   or, how much do you put out for each?   I have four 16 week pullets to whom I have been giving a handful of scratch each afternooon during this cold weather in Georgia  (I know, 30 degrees at 3pm is not really cold for you Vermonters and New Yorkers on this forum, but ...  it is for Atlanta area)  and putting out a little grit in a an empty tuna can.  Some days the grit is completely gone and others I see one or two of the girls pecking in the can.  I wonder how much is consumed vs. just spilled out onto the pine needles and leaves in the run area.  I am putting the scratch on the ground outside of the run so there is some opportunity to get grit from the ground.

Any thoughts?

Thanks

...it also depends on whether or not your feed contains grit...mine does, so I offer grit only when giving extras which don't have grit...

A chicken's food goes, as is, into the crop, where it is slowly funneled into a very small " stomach" for some digestive additives--then to the Gizzard, where it is 'chewed', that is, ground into material that can be digested as it moves into the intestines and so on. The Gizzard is best able to break down whole grains and other chunky bits that they eat when full of grit. Longest lasting grit is Granite, that lasts well. All other rock and stone is so much softer, that it wears down fast and that is why granite grit is best choice, works really well for best utilization of feeds. My baby chicks are given free choice and they choose it with pleasure, baby grit is fine Granite, as soon as they are given anything besides Starter Crumbles. Their tiny gizzards are at optimum function at an early age.

Thing is...grit is inexpensive, so why not just offer it free choice?  I can never understand folks' reluctance to use it.  Better safe than sorry!  They'll eat what they need, just as they do with oyster shell and feed. 

thanks for the replies.    I have been keeping grit available to the girls but wondered how much is spilled vs. how much a pullet will actually eat.

I am thinking that on some days one of the girls steps on the tuna can with the grit and it all goes on the ground and disappears into the pine needles and leaves in the run.  I haven't yet thought of an easy way to secure the tuna can from overturning.

Maybe, I will take a 3 inch nail and put through the bottom of the can into the ground.  that may keep the can upright and yet be easy to move if need be.


cheers,