Grit for Chicks... When, what and how?

[PortlandChick]

I have four chicks, aged between 2 and 3 weeks. They have had nothing yet, but starter feed and a quarter of a boiled egg today. I don't plan on introducing anything else to their diet, except possibly some plain yogurt or greens, before they are 5 or 6 weeks old, but, I do want to take them for short trips outside beginning next week if the weather is nice. My questions are:
1) Should I introduce some grit to them before I take them outside in the case that they find themselves some snacks in the grass?
2) I have heard I can use Bird Gravel. I picked some up for Canaries and Finches (the smaller size) and it is made of oyster shells and charcoal, but I wanted to double check if this is the right grit for my chicks. I have heard oyster shells just dissolve in the chicks stomach?

Thanks for any info. First time urban chick mama!

 

[faykokoWV]

if they are outside they should be able to find some grit in the dirt depending on your soil

I have put a bowl of dirt from my yard in for them to peck at, they can get some grit that way, again depends on the soil

oyster shell and charcoal aren't hard enough to perform the functions of grit, which is grinding food in the gizzard

definately grit before greens

grits cheap why not get some

 

[maizey]

Oystr shell is a big no no until laying time as its calcium. Too much calcium will deform the growing bones of the chicks, so no oyster shell. The boxed canary grit also has calcium. Just get some granite grit, put it in a towel and beat the daylights out of it with a hammer. It will break down into finer particles that the chicks can handle and no worries about excess calcium

 

[PortlandChick]

Thanks for the replies. I will head to the feed store tomorrow to get grit. I have just found so much conflicting information on chicks, but am taking the better safe than sorry approach. No bird gravel for my little ones!

 

[Cass]

Quote:
I understand your confusion with the conflicting information. What works for someone might not work for the majority. What to feed and when is a source of conflicting info many times. Cedar shavings good or bad is another source of conflicting information. And don't even get me started on all the info on hatching chicks. LOL

But I don't think you are being lead astray on the information to get real chicken grit at the farm store for your chicks. Calcium can become toxic to chicks because they have no use for the excess like hens do (making egg shells) (and don't get me started on whether to or how to feed egg shells to your hens for extra calcium. That's another hugely debated subject)

Good luck with your chickie outing. I'm sure they will LOVE IT.

 

[Mak]

I've always just put a dish of sand in the brooder for the chicks, as recommended in Pat Foreman's book, City Chicks. It's always worked just fine until the babies are old enough to get either regular chicken grit (in winter when the ground is snow covered) or pick up their own in the run or yard.

 

[gavinandallison]

Quote:
Get one of the Chickens for Dummies Books they will help you no end!!