Do guineas need grit?

[Finn's Mom]

I've always had a pile of sand in the run for my keets to scratch and dust bathe in but never noticed any sand going missing. Today, the pile is GONE. They ate it?

 

[greathorse]

more likely that they dusted in it and spread it around and carried the sand/dust from the pile in their feathers. When they dust they will carry dirt etc. and shake and preen which is when it comes off them. My dusting pits need to be refilled on a regular basis

 

[Finn's Mom]

ok thanks, greathorse, and you can't (or perhaps you can!) believe the sandstorm I witnessed this afternoon

but the dumb part of my question, do they need grit? They are cooped and in a run right now in hopes of making an impression.

 

[greathorse]

yes guinea fowl need grit just like any bird with a crop. If they have access to outdoors or dirt or sand in the run it is likely not necessary to supplement with any thing else. What I was trying to say is I dont think they ate enough sand for you to notice, it does not take much. But they will need some source of grinding material in their crop