Grit - chick vs chicken

[momchick4]

Feed store was out of chicken grit, but the have chick grit. They said it would be ok for the chickens.
Any thoughts? I thought the grit would be too fine and not be as effective. Don't want to waste my money if its not what they need.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Chick grit (#i1) s only good for the first 4 or 5 weeks of age. When they're older than that, it will pass right through the gizzard doing nothing.
#2 grit is good up to about 8 weeks of age. After that adult grit is needed.

Feed store people aren't poultry experts, so take what they say with a grain of salt. If it doesn't sound logical, then it is probably bad advice.

 

[mobe_45]

Chick grit is about the size of coarse sand, which is a ton cheaper, or free if you get it from the shoreline/roadside. Fears of sickness/diseases from home gathered sand can be cured by a bleach water rinse. Use the same mix as when sterilizing dishes (2tsp per gallon).

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Good point, just rinse well.

This link has good information with a list of sizes under the heading, "What size poultry grit do I need?"

http://www.tccmaterials.com/product.cfm?id=605