What is grit???

Hi Everyone!!

I sort of know what grit is but, I'm a newbie in the chicken world, and I want to know more about it...What is it used for? Why do chicks need it? How do I give it to them? Etc. Thanks so much!!

Grit is an insoluble sharp stone that gets lodged in the chicken's gizzard that aids in grinding feed. Without teeth, everything goes down whole and must be ground in the second or mechanical stomach called the gizzard.

Here is a good link to explain sizes and application principles.

http://www.tccmaterials.com/pdf/CSgritdata.pdf

ChickenCanoe said:

Grit is an insoluble sharp stone that gets lodged in the chicken's gizzard that aids in grinding feed. Without teeth, everything goes down whole and must be ground in the second or mechanical stomach called the gizzard.

Here is a good link to explain sizes and application principles.

http://www.tccmaterials.com/pdf/CSgritdata.pdf

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Ok thanks!! Oh, and on that link you provided, it says avoid contact with skin and eyes...i can understand about the eye thing...but why can't it come into contact with skin??? Thanks again!!!!!!

I don't use cherry stone, so I don't know why you should avoid skin contact. Maybe because the sharp rocks are irritating?

Anyway, I just get a scoop of dirt from my yard for grit. The chicks pick through it and dust bathe in it. Win-win.

howfunkyisurchicken said:

I don't use cherry stone, so I don't know why you should avoid skin contact. Maybe because the sharp rocks are irritating?

Anyway, I just get a scoop of dirt from my yard for grit. The chicks pick through it and dust bathe in it. Win-win.

Click to expand...

That is a Win-win!! Can I do that with young chicks around 4 days old or is it better to buy grit for them?? Thanks!!

I keep dirt in my brooder all the time. Its in there before I even put chicks in. Some folks say not to add it until they're a couple of weeks old. So, I guess that's up to your own discretion. I've been doing it that way for a long time and have never had a problem (the major concern is cocci).
If you're only feeding your chicks their starter, they wont need the grit. You add it when you introduce treats. Pretty much, if you have to chew it, so will they, and that's where the grit comes in

My irritation the other day, looking at the "chick grit" bag because long story short I thoguht it would be easier than bringing in a bucket of dirt to the brooder. Iam wanting to know if there is any calcium or if it is hopefully just crushed granite....the ingredients say "grit" wait....you know that "grit" is not really a valid answer right company?

howfunkyisurchicken said:

I keep dirt in my brooder all the time. Its in there before I even put chicks in. Some folks say not to add it until they're a couple of weeks old. So, I guess that's up to your own discretion. I've been doing it that way for a long time and have never had a problem (the major concern is cocci).
If you're only feeding your chicks their starter, they wont need the grit. You add it when you introduce treats. Pretty much, if you have to chew it, so will they, and that's where the grit comes in

Click to expand...

Is cocci a bacteria???

Cocci is a protozoa that is present in the soil. Virtually all chickens have it, and it typically isn't a problem until they become stressed for some reason or another. It also doesn't generally affect adult birds.
If that's something that bothers you, and it does bother a lot of people, you could also pick up a bag of play sand from Lowes, Home Depot, ect.
newmarch2014- I don't know whether the grit contains calcium or not. But, if it did, I'd assume they'd put it on the label. If the product is specifically for chicks, I think it would be okay to assume that it doesn't contain any calcium.

i saw the thread title and started laughing because it reminded me of that scene from "My Cousin Vinny"!!

i apologize for not being helpful in answering your question, though..