Cornish X - need grit?

[tsarge]

My first time with chickens. I have 25 CX arriving tomorrow. Brooder is set up and waiting. I'll be feeding Agway Broiler Maker protein crumbles. Do I need to provide grit? The tag on the Broiler Maker is not clear...I believe it says "If desired, grit can be supplied..."

What's the consensus on grit for CX?

Also, my brooder is a 4x6x2 plywood box with a center divider. I'll start my CX on one side (4x3). The corners are square. Do I need to put some type of cardboard in each corner to round it out? I was told that chicks could pile up in one corner if they are not rounded.

This forum has been the BEST resource for a first timer! Thanks to everyone who takes the time to share their experiences.

 

[CoopCrazy]

I didnt give mine grit and they have done fine.. only had 4 losses from 26

 

[TACEYPERKINS]

I would provide grit. That way you don't end up having digestive problems. Good luck with your new chicks!

I forgot to add, first just give the food, then give grit a little later.

 

[Dogfish]

I found peagravel in the gizzard of all 6 CX I butchered. They lived in an outside run.

 

[SteveH]

Because I'm raising some CX for a breeding project ; along with 21% crumbles in a feeder I've started tossing them some rolled oats , grass , clover , bugs , etc. in their bedding to teach them to scratch and feed as normal chickens while still in the brooder . I offered them parakeet scratch and they really tore into it , so I'm guessing they needed it . On straight commercial crumbles they would not have needed it , but I did see them picking up sand from under their straw before I started tossing in the scratch .

 

[KatyTheChickenLady]

Hey steve,
I'm feeding mine their wheat/barley/oats/corn/Boss mixture in the AM before I fill the feeder with crumbles. Once I started doing that I found them foraging much more during the day.

 

[SteveH]

Quote:
Thanks Katy . Most of my CX chicks follow the EE's and straight WLR Cornish's example and scratch for treats or sand even when the feeder is full . However a few CX are either smart enough or lazy enough to watch the other two breeds do the scratching and then quickly reap the benefits

.

 

[jaku]

Quote:
I wouldn't worry about either. I've never given mine grit, and I've always used a square brooder, both with no problems.

 

[tsarge]

Quote:
I wouldn't worry about either. I've never given mine grit, and I've always used a square brooder, both with no problems.

Thanks Jaku. The little nuggets made it home safe yesterday. I've had such a hard time with brooder temperature. 10 degree variance just by moving the thermometer a couple of inches. I decided to go with some advice I found on this forum about just watching how the chicks behave. Sure enough, I did have to lower my lamp just a little and they settled right in. About 1/2 would snuggle under the light while the others were busy hitting the feeders/water, then they would rotate. I'm amazed at just how much water these little ones consume!

They made it through their first night with no losses. I came out this morning to find them all sleeping under the light, but not all bunched up. They looked comfortable. I turned on the lights in the garage (they dont get a lot of real daylight) and they woke up and began the same process of rotating from the light to the feeders/water then back again.

Thanks again for those that contribute to this forum. It's a great resource! -Tim

 

[jaku]

Yeah, don't worry about brooder temperature too much. If they're huddled, lower the light, if their in a ring around the edges of the brooder, raise it. You'll go nuts trying to maintain a temp!