9 week old chicks......grit????

[spish]

so since saturday my 9 week old chicks have been living full time outside in their new palace with a small run (until they get used to going in and out of the house)
because they only have a bit of space to forage on the grass....should i be giving them grit/crushed oyster shell? or will they find enough in the grass? their temporary run is 1m20x1m20cm

 

[bakerjw]

I gave mine grit at 4 weeks or so. I went to the store and picked up parakeet grit which ended up being not much more than glorified sand. If they are outside at all I'd get them some grit of some form to be sure. Some of the feed store grit is for mature birds and may be too large for teen birds. Mine have a tub of play sand for taking dust baths so they can peck at that if they want as well.

The oyster shell is needed for when they start laying eggs.

 

[spish]

ah ok! i have parakiet grit for my budgies..i shall use some of that for them! do i put it in a bowl or just sprinke it on the ground?

 

[xyresicchick]

my 2,3, and 4 day old chicks are already pecking up play sand! they love it.