Feeding a mixed age flock!

[MeepBeep]

I have also put the shell grit i have out there for the hens! I still don't know if it is a source of calcium or just grit for the gizzard! I know i have had people say it is but i will post a pic just to be sure

Shell grit should be considered a calcium source not a mechanical grit source, the reason being is that shell is a soluble grit and the acidity in the gizzard and crop will dissolve it in not time flat, plus it will simply not last long as a mechanical grit, it will crumble away in short... Granite, flint or quartz is a superior insoluble mechanical grit and will allow the birds to eat it for grit purposes and not OD on calcium...

 

[AustralorpsAU]

Shell grit should be considered a calcium source not a mechanical grit source, the reason being is that shell is a soluble grit and the acidity in the gizzard and crop will dissolve it in not time flat, plus it will simply not last long as a mechanical grit, it will crumble away in short... Granite, flint or quartz is a superior insoluble mechanical grit and will allow the birds to eat it for grit purposes and not OD on calcium...

Thanks for clarifying that. Does that mean i need to be giving them insoluble grit aswell?

 

[MeepBeep]

Does that mean i need to be giving them insoluble grit aswell?

Yes, ideally you should offer both, an insoluble grit like granite, flint or quartz of the appropriate size for mechanical aid in the gizzard as well as a separate calcium grit like crush sea shells or crushed limestone for hens in need of extra calcium...

 

[AustralorpsAU]

Yes, ideally you should offer both, an insoluble grit like granite, flint or quartz of the appropriate size for mechanical aid in the gizzard as well as a separate calcium grit like crush sea shells or crushed limestone for hens in need of extra calcium...

This is the only grit available at the rural store where we live... sometimes i do get calcium deposits on my eggs but not too often! It won't kill em not to have the other grit will it?

 

[MeepBeep]

It won't kill em not to have the other grit will it?

No it won't likely kill them, only in extremes...

If you feed them commercial food they technically don't need any mechanical grit as the food is already ground at the mill, on the other hand if they have access or are fed fresh foods or whole grains they should have access to mechanical grit or they can have health issues and those health issues could lead to death in worst case scenarios, but more likely you will just get worse feed conversion and waste from the fresh and/or whole foods...

 

[AustralorpsAU]

Ok cool. And the little ones are eating some of the grit... a little wont hurt them either???

 

[evanicole]

Subscribe since I'll have this in a few weeks

 

[AustralorpsAU]

Subscribe since I'll have this in a few weeks

Have you got young ones now or soon?

 

[evanicole]

Soon there have 15 days before they hatch I won't put them with my other until there big enough

 

[evanicole]

Can I feed everything starter grow