Can I use dirt from outside for grit?

[Cheekygreek]

I forgot to buy grit yesterday for our new chicks and it's a long drive into town.Can I just use a little dirt from outside? I'm next to a river so I can also get sand from there. As far as I know there haven't been any chickens on this property in years.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Until/unless you begin offering feed other than commercial chick feed, they do not *need* grit - commercial feed is formulated to be water soluble, which makes it digestible without the aid of grit.

 

[Cheekygreek]

I have them on pine shavings and I read they should have grit in case they eat the shavings.

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

Put a layer of paper towels over the shavings until you know they've figured out what they're supposed to be eating