Grit

[cdavis76]

How old should a chick/chicken be before you start feeding grit to them?

 

[Ridgerunner]

A broody hen does it as soon as she takes them off the nest so you can never be too early. However, if all they eat is chick feed, they don’t need grit. That stuff has already been ground up enough for them to be able to digest it without grit.

When do you need to feed grit to them? Before they eat something that needs to be ground up in their gizzard. That includes most treats.

 

[schnebbles]

I'm kind of butting in here, but should I put grit in a separate dish or mix with the food? I'm new!

 

[OldGuy43]

I go with oyster shell on day 2. I do sieve it through a big tea strainer and make sure they have plenty of water.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I suggest you don’t feed oyster shell to growing chicks. These studies show what can happen to growing chicks if they eat extra calcium.

Avian Gout
http://en.engormix.com/MA-poultry-i.../avian-gout-causes-treatment-t1246/165-p0.htm

British Study – Calcium and Protein
http://www.2ndchance.info/goutGuoHighProtein+Ca.pdf

I offer it on the side. I don’t see a huge problem in mixing it with the food as long as you don’t go overboard with it.

 

[nova022]

I suggest you don’t feed oyster shell to growing chicks. These studies show what can happen to growing chicks if they eat extra calcium.

Avian Gout
http://en.engormix.com/MA-poultry-i.../avian-gout-causes-treatment-t1246/165-p0.htm

British Study – Calcium and Protein
http://www.2ndchance.info/goutGuoHighProtein+Ca.pdf

I offer it on the side. I don’t see a huge problem in mixing it with the food as long as you don’t go overboard with it.

X2
Offering oyster shell on the side is a also good idea if you keep roos with your layers.

 

[schnebbles]

thanks, no roos yet. No hens either, lol! I'm getting 2 easter eggers this week, hopefully tomorrow or wednesday.