Does the product Chicken Sand substrate replace the grit?

[SARAHLEESILKIE]

Looking for advice on this. Bought some chicken sand ($$$) so I can easily scoop poop in the henhouse. However I’m not sure if this is a replacement for grit? Thanks for the feedback y’all

 

[nuthatched]

I've never heard of this product, what is it exactly? Do you have a link?
It's likely too fine for grit.

 

[SourRoses]

Nope, sand is not grit. It's too fine and is often comprised of softer water-soluble rock, like limestone. It varies depending where the sand came from. Sometimes mixed river sand can be used by chickens as grit, but a bagged product is usually too fine.

Grit is crushed granite or another stone product that says it's "insoluble", meaning it does not dissolve in water. It stays intact in the gizzard so it can do the job of grinding tough food.

Anything that says "substrate" is meant as bedding, floor, or plant growing media.
The term is used across the pet industry and agriculture. From aquariums and terrariums to growing orchids and making hamsters cozy. It's always meant to be inedible but whether an animal eats it is often their own decision, lol.

 

[FrostRanger]

The way I see it is grit is cheap and never goes bad. Worst case scenario if you provide it and they don't need it is it just sits there. Worst case scenario if they need grit and you don't provide it is you'll have very sick or dead birds. Therefore I say if you're debating whether they need it or not, provide it anyways, it won't hurt anything and may save your bird's life

 

[rosemarythyme]

Is is this product made of a hard stone (i.e. granite) with particle sizes in this range?

 

[SARAHLEESILKIE]

Looking for advice on this. Bought some chicken sand ($$$) so I can easily scoop poop in the henhouse. However I’m not sure if this is a replacement for grit? Thanks for the feedback y’all

 

[nuthatched]

View attachment 4126162

Ooo, what a rip off.
Yes, you will need to provide grit.

 

[SARAHLEESILKIE]

WHAT ABOUT RECYCLED COFFEE GROUNDS!