Chick Grit?

[crashcourse]

I'm a total newbie at this.

I have 6-week old pullets, and they're moving outside (finally) this weekend. They've been spending an hour or so outside a day for the last week, and I've been feeding chick starter. They have been finding all kinds of stuff while they're outside in the yard/garden, and I remember someome mentioning at some point that I was supposed to add chick grit to their diet. But, if they're ingesting some dirt along with whatever they find outside, is that still necessary? Also, if I start adding kitchen scraps to their diet, will I need to add the grit?

They have had some diarrhea, so I'm also wondering what I need to be doing to help with that situation.

 

[TheTwoRoos]

You may want to.I start adding chick grit right after thy hatch.So when they eat they consume some grit because I start free ranging instantly and instantly feeding treats,usually I’ll wait three or four days for treats but I still offer it.

 

[crashcourse]

You may want to.I start adding chick grit right after thy hatch.So when they eat they consume some grit because I start free ranging instantly and instantly feeding treats,usually I’ll wait three or four days for treats but I still offer it.

Should I just scatter some of the grit on the ground with their food/treats, then?

 

[Bettyboop7499]

I'm a total newbie at this.

I have 6-week old pullets, and they're moving outside (finally) this weekend. They've been spending an hour or so outside a day for the last week, and I've been feeding chick starter. They have been finding all kinds of stuff while they're outside in the yard/garden, and I remember someome mentioning at some point that I was supposed to add chick grit to their diet. But, if they're ingesting some dirt along with whatever they find outside, is that still necessary? Also, if I start adding kitchen scraps to their diet, will I need to add the grit?

They have had some diarrhea, so I'm also wondering what I need to be doing to help with that situation.

Hello!
I'm a newbie so I just read about this..
Unless the diarrhea is significant & continually, I wouldn't worry. They just drank more than they needed.

If they are allowed free range then they are already getting the rocks sand that they need. They will eat more or less depending on what their gizzard tells them.

 

[TheTwoRoos]

Add it with their feed.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Grit is so cheap and lasts forever so I see it as a good investment to make sure the chickens get the right size/type stones they need. I have a small parrot feeder in the coop with grit in it. I also dump some on the ground every once in a while. They'll pick out what they need.

Though at 6 weeks it might be easier to just buy a bag of hen/adult grit that has varied sizes in the bag, rather than chick grit which they'd be outgrowing by now.

 

[Beer can]

I've never feed grit. Well maybe once in awhile in winter if the snow is deep and they do not have access to free ranging and I'm feeding them greens or other non-chicken food treats.
No need when they are outside.
Chicks I only feed starter or grower crumbles so no need. If you feed chicks treats such as greens they will need it. I don't feed treats besides some scrambled egg to chicks, I want them only to eat what they need to grow to their full potential as chicks.
Young stock and older birds have access to all the dirt and stones they want.
If you process your own birds you will see their gizzards are right packed full of little stones.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Not everyone has soil with the right size and type of rocks to serve as grit, which is why I'd spend the $5 and get a bag. If the birds have frequent access to gravel or rocky soil then yes I'd think it's safe to skip buying it.

 

[bazil323]

I'm with rosemarythyme. Even though my girls have plenty of dirt and small rocks in tgeit run, they lined up for grit when I added some to a tray. Now theyvth been ignoring it for over a week. So I have to think what was in their run wasn't quite right, and they needed a bit more. I'll add a bit when I see the tray is near empty, and at this rate, the 7 pound bag will probably last the rest of the year at least, and in Wisconsin winter's there will be months where they will need it because tgereth no access to the ground under the snow and ice.