Does Scratch & Peck mash require feeding grit?

[TeePants]

Our baby silked EEs arrived today and I realized as I was making mash that it’s got a lot of grain in it, unlike the crumble. I guess I didn’t think about that! I don’t have any grit on hand and they’re in a brooder indoors for now as I’m finishing up the coop.

I am assuming I need to hold off on offering the starter mash until I offer them chick grit. I am hesitant to offer it to them now as they’ve still got their egg teeth, and are only vaguely cognizant between the differences of food versus the floor, haha. I worry they’d gorge on it and get themselves sick.

 

[RoyalChick]

Our baby silked EEs arrived today and I realized as I was making mash that it’s got a lot of grain in it, unlike the crumble. I guess I didn’t think about that! I don’t have any grit on hand and they’re in a brooder indoors for now as I’m finishing up the coop.

I am assuming I need to hold off on offering the starter mash until I offer them chick grit. I am hesitant to offer it to them now as they’ve still got their egg teeth, and are only vaguely cognizant between the differences of food versus the floor, haha. I worry they’d gorge on it and get themselves sick.

View attachment 4210486

I always give chicks chick sized grit from day one. Even tiny ones indoors might eat a spider or other bug.
Congrats on your little ones!

 

[TeePants]

I always give chicks chick sized grit from day one. Even tiny ones indoors might eat a spider or other bug.
Congrats on your little ones!

Oh, ok! I ordered some, should be here tomorrow morning. Hopefully they’ll be fine until then!

 

[RoyalChick]

Oh, ok! I ordered some, should be here tomorrow morning. Hopefully they’ll be fine until then!

I am sure they will do great. Mine always dust bathe in the bow if grit I give them which is super cute, but I guess they must also eat a few pieces.

 

[Fluffy_Butt_Hutt]

Our baby silked EEs arrived today and I realized as I was making mash that it’s got a lot of grain in it, unlike the crumble. I guess I didn’t think about that! I don’t have any grit on hand and they’re in a brooder indoors for now as I’m finishing up the coop.

I am assuming I need to hold off on offering the starter mash until I offer them chick grit. I am hesitant to offer it to them now as they’ve still got their egg teeth, and are only vaguely cognizant between the differences of food versus the floor, haha. I worry they’d gorge on it and get themselves sick.

View attachment 4210486

tiny dustbath in the corner with small enough rocks from outside helps a lot! I end up sifting normal dirt with a small plastic pot. Gets just the right sized pebbles out for grit and they get a dustbath! spray a bit with water so it's more "dirt" rather than "dust" but not until looking wet or muddy. Either way, with such small chicks it's still best to crush it a bit more or ferment a bit to soften it up.