Can't find chick grit....

[Pascal PicklePants]

so, is it OK to use sand/dirt from the yard? I recently hatched these chicks, they are about 10 days old and i want to start giving them yum yums and watch them go berserk.
My worry is that the sand from the yard is too fine. I've heard to use parakeet grit, but none of the pet stores in my area have any with no calcium.

 

[ChooksChick]

You can use parakeet grit and playground sand, but if they are eating chick starter exclusively, they don't need grit unless you are giving treats. It's pre-chewed...so to speak. I would wait on the treats until they are a bit older, but in any bag of regular grit, the finer stuff falls to the bottom, so you could sift some of the bottom stuff out if you're determined.

 

[JustAChickenLittle&More]

I know what you mean. I have the same problem here. And to top it off, I just found out the feedstore is closing down and won't be ordering any more feed. Thats alright though, I'll just have to drive a little farther and stock up more.

 

[HorseFeatherz NV]

Yes, it is perfectly fine to use sand/dirt from the yard. The babies will love it, and it will give them something to dust bathe in - new feathers coming in are very itchy. Also if you are lucky enough to have greens (grass or weeds) give them a little plug of dirt/greens.


ALL of my incubator babies are given a sandwich sized container of dirt from the yard when they are 3 days old. I also start them on different foods/treats at that age. All of this is because my broodies raise their chicks this way - out and about in the dirt on day 3 and any foods the broody can find.

 

[Pascal PicklePants]

Quote:
Thanks, that was what I thought....seems logical, as you say that's similar to what a broody does. However, nothing green here at the moment. Winter in MN consists of white and brown.

I will give them some dirt in a dish.....don't know why I even considered paying money for that now that I think of it.