Another Grit question... Sorry

[Tala]

Mana Pro used to make a chick sized grit that has iron or iodine, red stuff on it to aid digestion. Well they musta quit making it, but I got a spare bag when TSC clearanced it out. One bag'll last a while. I also give them sand from my driveway so they can choose which size they want.

Someone mentioned to me that chicks brooded outside won't get pasty butt because of the grit. Hmm. All of my chicks were outside at the time and none ever had the pasty butt.
Well I gave my 3-day olds a scoop of grit free choice and I haven't had to clean one butt yet, so maybe there's somethin to it. Who knows?

 

[RocketDad]

Builders sand or "tube sand" (traction sand) is great for starting the chicks' crops, because it's not sifted and washed as much as masons or play sand. You get bigger chunks and sharper pieces, instead of fine grained smallish smooth sand.

I had some "filtration media" leftover from an aquarium teardown that I gave my chicks too. Great stuff. I think it was harvested from Texas anthills - reddish, flint and other hard stones, all about 1/8" and fairly angular. Great for planted aquariums when you can find it. Anyway, the chicks gobbled it up. I'd go dig an anthill up myself if I could have more chicks.