Do I need to buy grit since we live in Florida?

[fledgling]

Our soil is sandy. In fact, it's all sand. Very little organic material at all. Looks like a big sandbox outside. Can our chickens just use our native soil or do we have to purchase grit?

Thanks!

 

[spook]

Absolutely! But, the sand may be fine for them as younger birds, but ours find rocks here and there for digestion. What happens is as the birds gizzard works the food, as the rocks get smaller, they will pass through the digestive tract.
So, its a loaded question with a simple answer, no, you will not need to buy grit.

 

[fledgling]

We don't have any rocks. I know, weird. Still okay?

 

[spook]

Perhaps someone else could answer that...I am in Maine where we grow rocks !! The frost is always lifting rocks from deep ledges! LOL, I love it, have in-laws in florida and they don't worry about it.
Sorry if I sound like I'm having fun with you but I cannot imagine.

 

[fledgling]

No worries! I was stationed in Rhode Island so I understand about the rocks up there!

 

[Sugar Sand Farm]

No you don't need to buy grit. Believe me I know what you mean about sand Our farm is called Sugar Sand Farm I use the sand in the brooder instead of bedding. Its cheaper and I find it works well. I have never had any pasting problems since I started this. And the chickens love to sand bath when they get older. Of course it becomes an obstacle course sometimes.lol

 

[Chick - n - Rachel]

I offered my girls our Florida sand as I was giving them treats, but they, one girl in particular, eat all the sand, about a half cup full (I only have five girls and they were three weeks old at the time!)
Laura my black star got a HUGE crop that tock days to go down, I was super worried.
Im new to this and since then havent offered sand or treats, it scared me too bad, Im going to wait till 10 weeks old and use the grit Ive got from TSC, I have no experience in what Im saying, but from what Ive since read, maybe sprinkle sand in there food or just keep a real good eye on then with the sand, but then again maybe I just have crazy sand eating monsters, and you'll be fine!! Hope all goes well!

 

[Glenda L Heywood]

sand is not the right size for grinding
the chicks will pack their crops with it and it will not have good grinding for the gizzard
the gizzard needs larger size gravel to grind with
pea gravel is the best for out side
so please provide them with granite grit
it does not cost that much and it better abd healthier for them

 

[Kev]

If the chickens are getting pellets or mash, they do not "absolutely need" grit. Mash/pellets don't need any grinding down. In that case, the sand will be fine.. they can scratch or hunt around for pieces to their liking.

 

[fledgling]

Thanks! They do sell it and I think the local feed store suggested it. Just never thought about it until I read about sand here. I'll get some once they are off the chick starter. in the meantime, maybe a little sand in a dish for the to play with once they get a little bigger?