Grit For Young Chicks?

[nancypo]

There seems to be some debate about giving healthy, younger (mine are about 1 1/2 weeks) chicks some kind of "grit", like sand? Mine are on chick starter, happy, healthy and growing well, with no "grit". Any ideas? I do have some sand I could add...

 

[meriruka]

I've never used grit for chicks until I start giving them treats, (usually around 4 weeks or so) and I've never had a problem.

 

[brendapa]

Chicks love to be on sand. Give them a dust bath box. I use the top of a shoebox, fill it with sand and watch the fun begin. You can get "sandbox" sand sold for kids. They will eat it as grit.

 

[nancypo]

I like the dust bath idea! Mine aren't 4 weeks yet, have only had some yogurt, and only looked at the lettuce I gave them...