chick grit

[gemma24]

I don't have any chick grit, but I do have some oyster shells for my hens. do you think I could grind up oyster shells for the chicks? I would love to give them treats but don't have chick grit...I could also let them eat some tiny rocks from my yard when I bring them outside.

 

[Kiki]

I don't have any chick grit, but I do have some oyster shells for my hens. do you think I could grind up oyster shells for the chicks? I would love to give them treats but don't have chick grit...I could also let them eat some tiny rocks from my yard when I bring them outside.

No...oyster shell is not grit. It provides calcium for good strong egg shells.

If you can bring them outside ...great...they will find small rocks and dirt that will help them.
Can you dig up a smallish scoop of "dirt" from your yard...put it in a cake pan or shoe box and add it to their brooder?

 

[gemma24]

ok, I will do that. thanks!

 

[MigraineMan]

We've got dandelions everywhere. I usually dig one up with a small spade and drop the whole thing into the brooder - dirt clods and all. In addition to munching the dirt/grit, they get to play "king of the hill."

I screwed a 1" PVC end-cap to the wall of our brooders to provide grit. It's up off the floor so my dunderheads can't immediately tip it over (which was the problem with the coffee can lid.) It's also small enough that they can't perch on it and fill it with poo.

 

[MigraineMan]

Here's a photo. The cap is held to the wall with a short drywall screw.