Chicks and Grit

[Heidi]

This is my first time raising chickens and I'm not for sure when I should start giving my chicks grit. I've looked in a few books and only on barely mentioned it - saying a three days old to sprinkle it on their food which I have been every day. Anyways it didn't say how often or any other information on grit. My chicks (buff orpingtons, barred rocks, austrolops, and aracondas) are two weeks old tomorrow and seem to be doing fine. Any ideas?

 

[speckledhen]

As long as they are only eating the chick starter, which is all they need, they do not need added grit. If you give them anything else at all, just sprinkle some on their food or put some in a holder of some sort.

 

[JudyMcKinn]

This would be baby chick grit, which is very fine, a little more coarse than salt. Not the adult grit.

 

[speckledhen]

Thanks, Judy! I forgot to mention that you can also use just play sand. Sorry about that!

 

[BeckyLa]

We got our chicks last Wednesday and waiting for them in their new brooder was a pan, like a round cake pan, of fine dirt mixed with sand for them to play in. From the beginning they just love it. They scratch, dust bathe, and eat the grit. Although they don't need it to digest starter, they still eat a good bit and are not suffering for it. If they were outside with mama they would have a world full of grit. So, if I choose to give them treats, like cornbread muffin, they already have their grit.