Grit for 2 day old chick?

[JanetRN1]

Hi again! Quick question…do my new babies need grit yet? They’re only 2 days old. I haven’t put any down because I read somewhere they should be older. Am I on the right track?

 

[Logar]

what do you have for bedding? what I did was just sprinkled a bit over top of their food until they were 6 weeks old and started offering it free choice

 

[RoyalChick]

I would give them a bowl to eat some if they want. They don’t need it if all they eat is chick starter, but you never know they might catch a passing spider or something.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

LIke @RoyalChick, I put down a bowl of chick grit in their brooder. I start this on Day 3. On Day 6 I start scattering dried mealworms on the puppy pee pads we use to line the bottom of the bin we keep them in. By then I'm pretty sure their little gizzards are charged and ready for the treat. They always do well. The meal worms are part of my nefarious plot to teach them that I'm not the devil, they should come when called, and I am the Giver of All Good Things.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I sprinkle a tiny amount every few days on their food from the day I get them (usually around 2-3 days old).
Because I brood outdoors directly on the ground I know for a fact that they are eating bugs, dirt, bits of debris and anything else they can get in their beaks, so grit is good insurance to help them churn through whatever they take in.

 

[JanetRN1]

what do you have for bedding? what I did was just sprinkled a bit over top of their food until they were 6 weeks old and started offering it free choice

I’m using the puppy pad method. I could totally sprinkle some in there for them

 

[JanetRN1]

LIke @RoyalChick, I put down a bowl of chick grit in their brooder. I start this on Day 3. On Day 6 I start scattering dried mealworms on the puppy pee pads we use to line the bottom of the bin we keep them in. By then I'm pretty sure their little gizzards are charged and ready for the treat. They always do well. The meal worms are part of my nefarious plot to teach them that I'm not the devil, they should come when called, and I am the Giver of All Good Things.

I can get some this weekend for them! I want to be their favorite person

 

[ChurchGirl]

Don't be worried to give your chicks grit. Chickens can eat grit at any age and it is very healthy for them. But for chicks just make sure you give them chick grit, because regular grit is too big for them. I bought chick grit at Tractor Supply, but they probably have it at any other feed store.

 

[JanetRN1]

Thank you! I didn’t realize there was a difference. I’ll look for the chick version!

 

[FrostRanger]

Just a note to make sure you specifically get chick grit as regular grit is too big for young chicks.

I myself provide grit from day 1 in case they eat anything weird. One of those better safe than sorry things