Chick feed?

[Ihavesomechickens]

Yes, I’m using a fine limestone grit meant for chicks. I have it in a dish below their feeder so they can swallow as much as they need. Is limestone bad for chicks?

Limestone has A LOT of calcium in it. I would switch to granite grit immediately. Limestone is used as a calcium supplement for laying hens, and is about 40% calcium. Wayyy too much for baby chicks. Stop providing that stuff immediately.

 

[AlexEve]

Limestone has A LOT of calcium in it. I would switch to granite grit immediately. Limestone is used as a calcium supplement for laying hens, and is about 40% calcium. Wayyy too much for baby chicks. Stop providing that stuff immediately.

Wow, didn’t know it was bad for them! If anything, I thought more calcium would be good for them. I’ll try and find some better grit right away

 

[Ihavesomechickens]

Wow, didn’t know it was bad for them! If anything, I thought more calcium would be good for them. I’ll try and find some better grit right away

Too much calcium can really hurt a chicken. It causes pretty bad kidney problems that are sometimes untreatable.

 

[pibb]

Only laying chickens need calcium, well because an eggshell needs alot of calcium. Roosters and chicks don't need that much calcium. Most feeds already contain about 1% calcium.

20% protein is fine.

There are two types of limestone that come from the ground:

Calcitic limestone. This is about 95% calcium carbonate which is 38% calcium. This is the same as oyster shells and egg shells. Fine for layers. Not real common so if it doesn't say "high calcium" or "calcitic" then it probably isn't.

Dolomitic limestone. This is about 50% calcium carbonate (20% calcium) and 40% magnesium carbonate (11.5% magnesium). Magnesium cometes for absorption so less calcium is absorbed. Probably fine to feed temporarily but not long term.

Of course no quarry is the same so there are variations in calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate.

 

[AlexEve]

Only laying chickens need calcium, well because an eggshell needs alot of calcium. Roosters and chicks don't need that much calcium. Most feeds already contain about 1% calcium.

20% protein is fine.

There are two types of limestone that come from the ground:

Calcitic limestone. This is about 95% calcium carbonate which is 38% calcium. This is the same as oyster shells and egg shells. Fine for layers. Not real common so if it doesn't say "high calcium" or "calcitic" then it probably isn't.

Dolomitic limestone. This is about 50% calcium carbonate (20% calcium) and 40% magnesium carbonate (11.5% magnesium). Magnesium cometes for absorption so less calcium is absorbed. Probably fine to feed temporarily but not long term.

Of course no quarry is the same so there are variations in calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate.

I’ve been feeding it to them for that past week and a half, hope that’s alright. I’ll try and find some better grit soon

 

[pibb]

Yea I'd say they are fine short term. Do you have Tractor Supply nearby? Thats the only place I can find chick grit. They only need grit if they eat anything besides chick feed like bugs.

 

[AlexEve]

Yea I'd say they are fine short term. Do you have Tractor Supply nearby? Thats the only place I can find chick grit. They only need grit if they eat anything besides chick feed like bugs.

I don’t have a Tractor Supply near. 80% of what they eat is still the crumbles, but they will eat just about anything they find out in the run. Will sand work as chick grit?

 

[pibb]

I don't know. I've never used sand. Sand seems a little bit finer than chick grit. Where do you live at?

 

[rosemarythyme]

Will sand work as chick grit?

Ideal grit is granite due to the hardness and sharp edges. If you have coarse sand that's the right size, that isn't too soft, that might work. For size reference: