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If you live on a coral reef, the very ground beneath your feet is part of the reef system, composed of countless fragments of coral, shell, and other calcareous organisms. Any handful of soil here contains billions of microscopic and macroscopic pieces of crushed shell and coral. This extends even inland; when you walk through the jungle, you are often treading on layers of crushed shell—some remnants of marine life, others from terrestrial sources such as hermit crabs. Seagulls frequently consume hermit crabs and leave behind their exoskeletons, further enriching the substrate. In effect, the ground here naturally mirrors the composition of commercial oyster shell grit typically provided to poultry.
I have closely observed the behavior of chickens in this environment—less so the more feral junglefowl (aside from one semi-domesticated individual, “Gypsy Chick”)—but generally it is impossible to spend time outdoors without encountering chickens or noticing the omnipresence of crushed shells and coral. This material is extremely fine in many areas, even accumulating in small drifts where it has not yet integrated with clay or organic debris. Because these shell fragments are lighter than stones, the frequent trade winds tend to redistribute them, creating localized concentrations. Which is why our ground- in certain light glitters-
When feeding these chickens, I’ve noted that they will eagerly consume whatever is available, but then almost immediately seek out and ingest this naturally occurring grit. They sometimes even pick up pieces that appear quite large relative to what is typically recommended. All advised by their mother who is showing them the ropes.
Of particular interest to me are three distinct flocks across different properties: one primarily composed of barred rocks, another of buff orpingtons, and a third of silkies. While these birds have undoubtedly mixed with local fowl over generations, their breed characteristics remain quite evident.
I know that may seem impossible: but the culture here is 'live by the moment', things are done sloppily and without proper education or preparations. So someone receives a paycheck, and in lieu of paying their taxes or bills... orders expensive chickens- only to get bored with them in a few years- so they round them up and release them in a different area to integrate into our island chicken fold.
Remarkably, even at only a few days old, the chicks are guided by the adults to peck and consume grit directly from areas where the lightweight shell fragments have settled, in preference to regions dominated by sand/rock or clay. True to their nature as chickens, they continue this behavior incessantly.
I did quite a bit of research many, many years ago on 'self medicating', although my 2 year study (which included 60 zebra finches) were frankly inconclusive- but leaned toward some ability. This lead me to a different area of study for the past 5 year on Hypervitaminosis which refers to over supplementation, which can lead to toxic symptoms and various health issues in which I have an active study right now. Of course- this work is not in chickens my current study is in specific species of parrots.
To the point of @saysfaa on island they consume a great deal of random plant matter, however there is no nutritional studies widely accepted on our foliage as humans dont consume it. But I assume it may be high in vitamin K, they also eat an enormous amount of fruit which has high vit C, and of course it is the caribbean- so vitamin D is not in short supply. The bodies could potentially be eliminating overages more efficiently rather than 'self medicating'.
Bloodwork can tell an immense amount and can be conducted easily on birds from the jugular. And yes, I have been- everything from kidney (Uric acid, elects Na, K, CL, dropping anaylisis, creatine) and liver function (AST + bile acids are key for liver function), blood tests can even measure levels of calcium, vitamin D, and certain hormones which can be supporting of bone health.
Edit: I should not have just said 'coral' in my original post as it is everything that makes up the ecosystem. I also garden extensively, and we have soil testing kits (standard) and the calcium content is so high it wont even read it correctly which effects the magesium balance. Everyone on island has a massive issue with the calcium and sodium content, which can be very harmful to many plants. So we spend a fortune trying to correct it. Trust me when I say a fortune.
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