Do my chickens need grit?

[chrisb01]

View attachment 1422335

Looks like you're good there..

 

[chrisb01]

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.

I actually agree with you.. If you're feeding good, then IMHO, no need for the extras.. Grit, if they don't free range or you don't have enough in the dirt they roam in..

 

[Tesumph]

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.

You could say the same about humans now. The proof is in the pudding, just research lifespans of livestock (or humans) 100-200 years ago.
If you’re gonna keep a bird descended from jungle fowl in an enclosed run with limited resources, they will need certain nutritions artificially provided. Some people don’t like that so they free range and go organic or whatever.. to each their own.

 

[ChocolateMouse]

That grit in your soil looks great. No need to supplement.

Shamo, the problem is the chickens of our ancestors layed 75-125 eggs a year for an egg layer and weighed 8-9lbs for a meat bird.
These days our hens lay 300 eggs a year and our meat chickens can weigh 14lbs full grown.

You're right - we have created chickens that RELY on those supplements like oyster shell... But in exchange we have chickens that produce more. It's not like they need oyster shell and still only lay 100 eggs a year. If you want a chicken that needs no calcium supplements (remember, even the old farm folks gave their chickens milk from their dairy cows during the times the chickens were in lay), you can do that. Many breeds of chicken only lay a few clutches a year and would require very few supplements indeed... If you're cozy with getting that few a number of eggs!

 

[BrandyEast]

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

My chickens are only 2 months, so their chick grit is smaller than the picture I have shown.

 

[ChocolateMouse]

Well, if you are worried and you have any chick grit, just shake it into their run. They'll find it as needed, and they won't need more than the bag you have until they're too big to need it any more. They grow fast and will be picking small pebbles instead of sandy bits before you know it.

 

[featherhead007]

My hens will only eat "True Grit", I guess they saw the movie!

 

[chrisb01]

My chickens are only 2 months, so their chick grit is smaller than the picture I have shown.

It's ok, they'll work..

 

[GC-Raptor]

My chickens are only 2 months, so their chick grit is smaller than the picture I have shown.

Around 7/8 weeks pullets can consume Adult size Poultry Grit.

. I have my first 25# bag of Poultry Grit for over 2 years. It's over half full, cost $8.99.
I had 5 hens most of that time.
I have gravelly soil and they get to free range an hour a day, so consumption is low, but they do consume it, and it never expires. GC

 

[chrisb01]

Around 7/8 weeks pullets can consume Adult size Poultry Grit.View attachment 1424636 . I have my first 25# bag of Poultry Grit for over 2 years. It's over half full, cost $8.99.
I had 5 hens most of that time.
I have gravelly soil and they get to free range an hour a day, so consumption is low, but they do consume it, and it never expires. GC

And some of those are about 1/4 inch in size - it won't harm them.. The chicken themselves know how much they need and won't over consume them.. Lets just get 'some' grit in there if the don't free range most of the day or the dirt doesn't hyave any or not enough.. Thanks for the pic GC..