Chickens and grit

[Little Coop on Salt Creek]

I provide oyster shell in a separate dish and the grit I toss into my Run for the Chickens scratching pleasure..

I do the same except for us our coop is where the grit gets tossed out every few days. Both our run and coop are sand. The coop sand seems finer to me, so that’s where the grit goes.

 

[Little Coop on Salt Creek]

I havnt used grit because I use construction grade sand in my coop and run...I see the girls eating it sometimes. Should I still give them a separate container of grit??

We too use sand in both coop and run. We originally didn’t offer extra grit... then had a Black Australorp have an impacteted, sour and pendulous crop over the late summer (all 3, back to back). Now, we spread a little extra when the coop seems like it’s sand is getting more fine. Would rather have a little insurance in the crop department.

 

[moomoodiddy]

Wow you really have I big family! How much property for 50 cows?

We are in the process of cutting down because we bought a herd next door. But our main pasture is about 45 acres and then the other is about 35

 

[jeria]

As far as grit, while it's easiest to buy from TSC, etc, you can often get it from a local quarry as well. Here's a nice article on grit and the pdf lists sizes.

Just for price comparison, TSC charged $14 for 25# and Co-op charged $16 for a 50# bag. They also sell 50# bags of oyster shell for like $7.00. Quarries are going to be cheaper than either. Some use a mix of granite, limestone and quartz, but I prefer granite.

I have found that other feed stores sell granite grit at about 75% less than TSC. Might check other feed/farm stores if you have them in your area.