Do I Need to Buy Grit?

[Kkack]

My BRs are 4 months old, and so far I've been supplying them with a dish of grit that I buy from My Pet Chicken (can't find grit at my local supply stores). I'm wondering if I need to keep supplying them with this grit, or if they will forage for small pebbles on their own.

They are in a pen with a dirt floor most of the day (closed in the coop at night), and for a few hours each day I move them around my grassy yard in a tractor. So they're not technically free range, but they are moved about.

I live on the coast, so our soil is a bit on the sandy side, and we don't have much in the way of large stones. I'm just wondering how large their grit needs to be, or will something as fine as sand do the trick?

Thanks in advance!

 

[jafo]

Depending on how many chickens you have, I would definately keep buying grit. Tractor Supply, or any feed / grain store can at least order it for you. If they free range, and have access to similar sizes of grit, then they might not NEED it, but a 5 pound bag goes a long way. We have 6 Orpington, had them for 3 months now, and I bet they haven't eaten 2 lbs of grit so far from a 5lb bag.

 

[saladin]

You don't need the grit at all; especially if you have sandy soil. The birds will eat a lot of "dirt." The sand is an excellent material for them to be able to grind their food.

The grit is a waste of your money.

 

[Mahlzeit]

Quote:
If you have them out in the dirt and grass they will find their own grit. I have never bought any of my chickens grit and they have been just fine. I've had chickens for 7 years now.

 

[jhm47]

The grit myth goes on and on and on and on. The only time birds need grit is if they are eating very hard, dry, whole seeds. millions of chickens are raised each year without ever seeing a bit of grit.

 

[Oopoo]

If you're worried about it you can get crushed limestone that supplies grit and calcium--two for one