Grit and baby chicks

[JULIE L CORWIN]

I have a bag of starter grit. What age should you start to give grit to baby chicks? Mine are still in the brooder. These will NEVER be free range chickens.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

www.backyardchickens.com/threads/the-science-of-feeding-grit-to-poultry.891051/

 

[azygous]

My new baby chicks start picking up grit even before they begin to eat food. Immediately. However, if you have these chicks in a brooder and do not plan to feed anything other than chick crumbles, no grit is necessary until you begin offering other foods.

 

[GranolaGirl72]

Agree with azygous, most commercial chick feed has the grit included in the pellet.

 

[lazy gardener]

I have a different take on brooder raised chicks. IMO, they pick up shavings and occasionally eat them b/c they are trying to fulfill their natural instinct to equip their gizzards with grit. I would give chicks grit in the first week no matter how they are being raised, or no matter where they will be living after the brooder.