Dirt in Brooder for Grit and/or Exposure?

[beyandle]

First timer here... I have done so much reading on this I have gotten confused now... My chicks are a week old, and my local feed store told me to start them on chick grit at two weeks old. I have read that giving them a clump of dirt from their future run helps expose them to things so they can build immunity slowly and it also provides them with grit that they can pick out of the dirt. This seems more intuitive and I don't want to pay for rock if I can just get it from my yard We are in Colorado, so our soil is very rocky. SO...

My questions are:

1. Is the whole dirt for exposure thing legit and can they get the grit they need from it?
2. At what point should I do this? Is 1-2 weeks too early? Should I wait until they are older?
3. Do I leave the grass attached to the dirt, or just put straight dirt in?

I should add that we are considering introducing some treats later this week (not sure what yet, any suggestions?)- so they will be needing grit soon... So far, they've just had medicated chick starter. And we haven't taken them outside yet, as they are so little and it hasn't warmed up enough yet.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

 

[Folly's place]

When my broody hens raise chicks, they are out in the dirt very early. It's fine. You could buy grit for them, or add some sandy gravel/ soil to their brooder. I've had chickens here for two decades, and SO FAR haven't had issues with introducing young birds to dirt, etc. Mary

 

[donrae]

I just turn up small clod of dirt, grass, roots and all and give it to them. I buy grit by a big ol bag, so I usually go ahead and toss some in for the chicks, but I'm not sure if they really need it or not. I've not had a problem with cocci, etc with this method, and I live in the damp PNW. I don't feed medicated starter either.

My broody hen raised chicks are on dirt from the first. I also toss grit in there cause they get treats. Nothing cooler than watching momma hen call her little clutch for a strawberry or piece of bread

 

[beyandle]

I know it was a silly question, so thanks for responding! I am reading everything I can get my hands on and sometimes I think that makes things more complicated and confusing than it has to be!

 

[daddyman]

Not a silly question at all!

You just saved me from posting the same thing.

Good luck with your chicks!