3 weeks old-is grit needed?

[smiley]

I have twice given my 3 week old chicks some cut up melon and cucumber (yesterday and today). Do they need grit?

Thanks in advance!!

 

[Ridgerunner]

How are they going to digest the seeds with cucumbers and watermelons if they don't have grit? I'm not sure how their systems handle fibers in melon or chunks of cucumber. Their digestive system was designed to work with grit.

They need grit anytime you feed anything other than chick starter. I personally offer grit by the time they are 5 days old. I think it helps get their digestive system working the way it should, but as long as you feed only chick starter, it is not absolutely required. If they have grit, you can safely offer treats. Otherwise, you are taking a chance

The grit I gave mine was some builder's sand I happened to have.

 

[LauraSBale]

I all so give grit, about 3 days old.

to me any time you start a new food, you should always give grit, so you dont end up w/ soft poop.

Tractor supply has Chick grit, it has anise in it, to help sooth the gut so they dont get gas. or bloat

 

[smiley]

Ok thanks to you both!

I just ran out to my horseback riding ring and grabbed some sand. It's washed river bed sand and has small little pieces of rock in it. Will this work?

 

[Ridgerunner]

It should work really well. Grown chickens can use rock up to the size of a pea for grit, but your chicks just need sand and really small rocks.

 

[smiley]

Quote:
Yahoo!!!

Thanks again!!

 

[FaithAnn]

I gave a chick tomatoes and it died after a couple of days with a ballooned crop. Ever since then, I always feed chicks grit.

 

[smiley]

Quote:
Oh, that's awful. I am so sorry for you.

I gave them the sand/grit but they don't seem to be picking at it. So, I am going to try to mix in some chick starter.....

 

[popcornpuppy]

I've been looking for chick grit all over my area and can't find it. My local feed and grain stores keep telling me I don't need to feed grit at this age. I am covinced by other posts that I have read that they do need it, so I would agree with the posts on this thread. If the chicks are too young to free range but are eating more than chick feed, then they need something to help them digest. MY chicks don't free range just yet, so until I find chick grit or they start to free range I'm holding back on the treats.

 

[FaithAnn]

Quote:
I couldn't find it in my area either, so I feed them grit you would buy for parakeets and finches. You can get it at a pet store or Walmart for a couple of dollars. It is essentially sand with a few small rocks in it. They love it. I keep it in a flat tupperware dish in the brooder and when they aren't picking at it, they try to dust bathe in it.