Do my chickens need grit?

[BrandyEast]

I have an area of my yard fenced off that they get to roam in (about 100ft in diameter) and it’s made up of Monat Ky grass but I carry in 5 gallon buckets of dirt and lay it in the bottom of their run and a few spots around the coop for dirt bathing. I’m at the tail end of my bag of grit and want to know if the sand I carry in is good enough or if I need to buy special grit

 

[azygous]

To test your soil or sand for suitable grit, get a kitchen strainer and fill it with dry soil or sand, whatever is there in the run you've made. If the particles left in the strainer are 1/8in in diameter or just a bit smaller, and they have sharp edges rather than rounded, there in no need to buy grit.

If you don't find sharp edged gravel, you will need to buy grit, but the chickens probably have enough in their gizzards that they can last a few days until you can get to the feed store for more.

 

[BrandyEast]

Okay I did that and this is what got left in the strainer/sifter. All different size pieces

 

[BrandyEast]

 

[Shamo Hybrid]

Do chickens really need grit? I've been around some folks who raised chickens and they never felt the need to feed theirs with grit.......... now I'm wondering if I have to buy grit for my chickens as well.

 

[Chickassan]

A bag of grit is pretty cheap, just get one pour it in a bowl or in a pile and let the chickens work it out. You won't have to worry about it again for months and you'll know for a fact they have suitable grit.

 

[Peppercorngal]

Do chickens really need grit? I've been around some folks who raised chickens and they never felt the need to feed theirs with grit.......... now I'm wondering if I have to buy grit for my chickens as well.

Yes, chickens do need grit. That said in many areas the regular dirt contains enough grit for the chickens. You see the grit goes into the gizzard and that is what actually grinds down their food because chickens don't have teeth! We happen to live where there is tons of granite rocks and lots of crushed granite for them. They pick it up just free ranging so I don't buy grit.

 

[Shamo Hybrid]

I'm afraid of all this feeding of extra stuff for chickens such as grit, oysters, calcium enriched feed, medicated feed....... that we may be setting these livestock up for future generations that have adapted to all of this 'extra' stuff that we put in them and genetically modify them to the point that they will depend on it, and or have their natural immune system lowered. I mean, chickens are hardy and have been around since the dawn of time.... I just think all of these extras are doing more harm than good for them in the future. But who knows, I'm no expert.

 

[chrisb01]

To test your soil or sand for suitable grit, get a kitchen strainer and fill it with dry soil or sand, whatever is there in the run you've made. If the particles left in the strainer are 1/8in in diameter or just a bit smaller, and they have sharp edges rather than rounded, there in no need to buy grit.

If you don't find sharp edged gravel, you will need to buy grit, but the chickens probably have enough in their gizzards that they can last a few days until you can get to the feed store for more.

One eighth is about the thickness of a nickel, for the benefit of those that are not familiar with measurements..

 

[Chickassan]

Grit isn't extra and they don't eat it they store it. The other things yes possible they are the good intentions that pave the road to hades but you've got to take into consideration that many chickens are confined to coops and runs and without the added supplemental nutrition they would suffer in the present.

I'm afraid of all this feeding of extra stuff for chickens such as grit, oysters, calcium enriched feed, medicated feed....... that we may be setting these livestock up for future generations that have adapted to all of this 'extra' stuff that we put in them and genetically modify them to the point that they will depend on it, and or have their natural immune system lowered. I mean, chickens are hardy and have been around since the dawn of time.... I just think all of these extras are doing more harm than good for them in the future. But who knows, I'm no expert.