GRIT? Essentual of treat?

[sgtmom52]

I use granite grit that I buy a TSC as a supplement to anything the chickens may find in the run.
This picture shows what the grit looks like ~ I used it as a support for the egg...

 

[dsqard]

ddawn have you thought about game bird food for the higher protien content? That is what I am using and it is not medicated. I believe it is either 20% or 22% protien. Just a suggestion.

 

[elmo]

Quote:
If you have just sand (and not sand mixed with gravel/small stones), it won't take the place of grit. As you can see from the picture up thread, chicken grit is irregularly shaped and has pieces of different sizes. The tiny grains of typical sand just aren't going to be large enough to do the job of grinding up food in the gizzard.

 

[HorizonSon]

I've been adding "chick" grit to my chick's feed since their first week of life. I have been giving them "treats" since one week old... I will be switching to "chicken" grit next week; as my Delawares will be 10 weeks old.

 

[chicnfarmer]

I've never purchased grit - I mix a little bit of medium to coarse sand from a place where it gets washed to from my driveway (so I know it has been washed through) in with my chick starter and they've been fine. After they are out of the brooder they are free-range, so they choose how much and what sized grit they want. I'm not sure how the "experts" feel about this, but I've had no problems. FYI sand is not round and it is naturally abrasive - that is why they use it for sandpaper. You just have to ensure that there is a sand component to the dirt you add (playground sand is probably way too fine) and that it isn't just silt and clay (WAY too fine). If you can't see the individual grains of sand clearly it may be too fine. Just my $0.02

 

[dfriloux]

My chicks are just two weeks old now and they're doing fine on their starter feed. However, in a couple of weeks, they'll be moving to their new coop. They will be free range for the most part, but there will be times, they'll be stuck in their coop yard. Should I mix some grit into the soil inside their coop yard so they'll have it readily available all the time? I'm just not sure how I'm supposed to add grit to their diet. I mean, do I get a bag of grit (if so, where does it come from and what should I buy) and dump it out on the ground and mix it in really good or what?

Regards,

d

 

[kidsgrowngotchicks]

my 6 chicks are 5 weeks and just went outside to coup. there are alot of small stones in picnic pavillion in between large stones. I have feeding them yogurt and finely chopped vegs as a treat once every day or two. I can't decide if i should add grit yet!

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
If you want to be on the safe side, just buy a bag of pullet or chick sized grit - available at most feed stores - and toss it a little at a time inside their run. If they need it, they'll take it. If not, you've wasted a few $$ at most.

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
See above answer. Generally once chicks are on the ground, even if it's only for part of the day, they are going to find suitable small stones and pebbles to use for grit. They don't need the grit for the yogurt, they do for the veggies. Anything that needs "chewing". Think of grit as their teeth.

 

[kbreak]

Do the chicks need the grit if they are on the ground. They scratch down to the dirt with 6 chicks and moma hen. Feed few treats. Do I need to get the grit?