Do baby chicks need grit?

[cmom]

Chickens do not have teeth. Their food goes, as is, into the crop, where it is slowly funneled into a very small " stomach" for some digestive additives--then to the Gizzard, where it is 'chewed', that is, ground into material that can be digested as it moves into the intestines and so on. The Gizzard is best able to break down whole grains and other chunky bits that they eat when full of grit. Longest lasting grit is Granite, that lasts well. All other rock and stone is so much softer, that it wears down fast and that is why granite grit is best choice, works really well for best utilization of feeds. My baby chicks are given free choice and they choose it with pleasure, baby grit is fine Granite, as soon as they are given anything besides Starter Crumbles. Their tiny gizzards are at optimum function at an early age.

 

[chickenchok]

I bought some parakeet grit as advised. It contains oyster shells and granite. But another friend who owns chickens thought she remembered something about oyster shell being bad for chicks? Any advice? They sure love the grit!
Thank you.

 

[Akane]

Your chicks will get too much calcium from the oyster shell. Long term that can cause problems. They shouldn't get oyster shell until they are laying.

 

[chickenchok]

So they shouldn't get any oyster at all? The first ingredient on the grit says granite. Next is oyster. The item is called Hi-Cal Grit for Parakeets, Canaries and Finches. Will this be too much calcium for my 2 week old chicks? Perhaps in small amounts? Or should I return it?

Thank you!

 

[shelleyd2008]

Tractor supply company has some grit that is made special for young chicks. If you don't have a TSC nearby, then check with your feed store. Does the store you got the parakeet grit have regular? Hi-Cal would be calcium, and if you are feeding the babies starter, they don't need anymore than what they are getting from that. I have read that too much calcium can cause kidney problems.

 

[chickenchok]

ok, thank you for the advice. our feed store didn't have any, but i will check some other places.

 

[chickenchok]

Ok, our local feed store had "chick grit" that says it's granite based on the front of the bag, but the first ingredient is still oyster shell! arg! Are there any brands w/ only granite?

 

[Shared Acres]

When I got sand at Home Depot, next to the play sand there was some specifically designed for animals. I bought that one.