Grit for chicks?

[scoopy82]

I know some people use sand, and another lovely person suggested the fine stuff in the bottom of a bag of adult grit, so I bought some today and while the shop person said it was the fine type of grit rather than coarse, it is still rather chunky. It contains tiny little spiral shells, about the size of the crumbled chick starter they are eating, but i was wondering if i should try to crush it further or if this texture would be okay for them? I gave them a little just to see if they would like it and one chick could not keep its head out the dish! It was so excited about eating it that i ended up taking it away incase it wasn't suitable and it ate too much and made itself sick.
Any suggestions please? I tried to take a photo to give an idea of how big the bits are but it didn't really work so I wont bother posting it.

 

[dianaross77]

I just sifted some poultry grit for my chicks yesterday I used a piece of screen. When you say spiral shells, it makes me wonder if they sold you oyster shell instead of poultry grit. The grit I buy is made of crushed granite. I think if they can and do get the pieces in the size should be fine. But take a look and see what's in it. I'm not sure if oyster shell in big quantities is safe and it will get digested which means it wouldn't help grind up their food. Hope somebody that knows more than me comes along with a better answer.

 

[PotterWatch]

If all your chicks are eating is chick starter, there is no need for grit. I have never used grit for chicks or adult birds as my chicks always eat starter and when they are old enough to be outside, they can pick up what they need just by pecking around in the dirt.

 

[Mahonri]

Quote:
AMEN!!!

Sometimes grit will carry bacteria that can make them sick.

 

[scoopy82]

Thats just the thing - I wanted to start giving them treats such as live bugs and the like, and have read that if you feed anything other than chick starter - they will need grit to help with digestion. They seemed to eat this grit (before i took it away) very easily, and enjoyed it, but now I'm worried about bacteria, maybe i will just give it to my big hens. Perhaps I should have done that to start with to test if it was ok before giving it to the babies. Hopefully they didn't get enough to cause problems.
The grit is made of whole shells, very little is actually ground up so not sure if its oyster shell.

 

[dianaross77]

Hmm... I'm no expert, but I'm pretty sure is it's ground up shell it will get digested. On a separate note, couldn't you bake it in a hot oven to kill bacteria? I gave mine the grit so they could have treats too. Let me tell you, they like us a whole lot better after a couple mealworms!

 

[scoopy82]

Thanks for that suggestion! I will put it in the oven - I've just cooked dinner so it is still quite warm

I'll crank it back up nice and hot and roast the grit away for a while

 

[blondiebee181]

My chicks and duckling are still only a week at the most so I am waiting on treats for a bit. They are on flock raiser which I hear they don't need grit for...true? When I do start treats, is it just stuff like greens, bugs, and fruits they need grit for? I heard if they are given soft stuff like scrambled eggs or milk or yogurt they don't need grit...true? Thanks, I'm new to the chick raising thing

 

[Othylocke]

My chicks and duckling are still only a week at the most so I am waiting on treats for a bit.

They are on flock raiser which I hear they don't need grit for...true? True

When I do start treats, is it just stuff like greens, bugs, and fruits they need grit for? True

I heard if they are given soft stuff like scrambled eggs or milk or yogurt they don't need grit...true? True

Thanks, I'm new to the chick raising thing

 

[Panth]

You shouldn't have to BUY rocks for grit, just go dig up a bunch of grass with the dirt still attached and throw it in there with them...not only will they pick out all the sand and grit they need, but the grass, bugs, and bacteria will give them a headstart for getting put out in the coop.