Can you mix the grit with their feed?

[wordgirl]

I just got my box of grit and am trying to figure out how to give it to them. I have a little Play-Doh tub taped to the wall, but they're sure to peck it off and it's probably hard for them to reach to the bottom of it where the grit is. Can I mix it in with their feed? And about how much should I put in?

 

[felidaet]

I don't mix grit with feed. I always keep them separate. The feed and grit are both available 24 x 7 inside the coop. Here is a picture of my grit and oyster shell feeder. There is a divider in the center. The grit is on one side and the oyster shell in on the other. At the time of the photo the oyster shell side was empty. I don't provide oyster shell until they start laying.

And if you were curious here is a picture of the feed dispenser. It holds more than 100 lbs of feed.

 

[elmo]

I don't mix feed and grit, either. I like to be able to keep an eye on what they're consuming so I know when to offer more.

 

[Cindy in PA]

If you are talking about young chicks, I have always read to start sprinkling chick grit on their feed at day 3, like your salting food. I still do the same for my almost 7 week olds several times a week, even though they have sand in their run now. You don't need a lot, they naturally pick out the little white/gray bits.