Do my chickens need grit?

[Ladies of Fairfax]

Newbie urban chicken mama here with a couple of questions. If my chickens free range the backyard all day, do I need to offer grit? When I lock them up at night, do I need to have food and water inside the coop? My backyard is basically their run.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Whether or not they need grit depends on the soil in your yard. If it is dried swamp muck they are not going to get much grit out of it. If the fill or native dirt is kind of rocky with small bits of gravel in it, they can find their own.

Chickens do not eat or drink at night but they are ready for food and water when they wake up. If you let them out fairly soon after they wake up you do not need to give them any food or water. But if you leave them locked in there for a while they probably need it.

 

[JedJackson]

Agree with Ridgerunner, but I would leave some water in the coop in case of emergency. If something comes up and you need to be somewhere else, it is nice to not have to worry.

 

[Frazzemrat1]

I would have grit on offer, just in case they decide they need it. I would have water on offer at all times, but you don't have to have it out when its night, after they go to roost. Once they're up for the night, they aren't going to eat or drink.

 

[Ladies of Fairfax]

Thanks!!

 

[rosemarythyme]

I no longer keep food or water inside my coop - with waterers there's the risk of spillage, and feed can attract rodents and I've had enough of dealing with rats trying to get in. I have an auto door to the run so the chickens can get water in the morning without me having to get up first.

 

[Shamo Hybrid]

I no longer keep food or water inside my coop - with waterers there's the risk of spillage, and feed can attract rodents and I've had enough of dealing with rats trying to get in. I have an auto door to the run so the chickens can get water in the morning without me having to get up first.

You know, not all of us can afford a special automatic door for our chickens!! Do your chickens have a big screen flat TV in their coop too?!! J/K.

 

[rosemarythyme]

You know, not all of us can afford a special automatic door for our chickens!! Do your chickens have a big screen flat TV in their coop too?!! J/K.

You know I was thinking it'd be awesome if I put in a TV... maybe I could show them travel shows all day so they'd feel like they're on vacation 24/7...

 

[Ridgerunner]

You know I was thinking it'd be awesome if I put in a TV... maybe I could show them travel shows all day so they'd feel like they're on vacation 24/7...

Or tune them in to Dr. Phil so he can handle the trauma of them having (or not having) a male around. Or if they need more help, bring out the big guns and show them reruns of Oprah.

 

[GC-Raptor]

I keep feed and water in raised coop 24/7. I also offer Oyster Shells separately and Granite Grit separately, . I also let them free range an hour before sunset daily weather permitting. I have gravelly soil, but still provide it. I have had a 25# bag over 2 years and its about half full. They do consume it, but slowly. It only cost me $8.99 and doesn't expire. GC