Grit question / food

[Ridgerunner]

Someone once posted that chicken feed contains grit so I sent an e-mail to Purina asking them about it. This was the response.

No, it does not contain grit. There is no need for grit in a pelleted diet, only if they are eating whole grains.

I'm sure the same would apply to chick feed as well as chicken feed.

I don't know if they need grit for meal worms or not. What does it hurt to give them grit and be sure? Bang the grit with a hammer as mentioned or feed them coarse sand, like construction sand. The play sand is too fine and smooth to do much good.

 

[Donna5]

grit question. I feed my 8 hens (they are about 11 months) layena and daily they get scratch and bread for a treat. When I can supervise they roam the yard and eat whatever. Do I need grit?

 

[kizanne]

Yes as far as I know once you do supplemental feeding like grass, bread they need grit. If they range your yard they probably get their grit there. To be safe I'd have a free choice bowl of it.

I put one out along time ago (for my layers) and they don't use much but they do use it.

 

[kizanne]

Also and update for others with this question.

My chicks were meat birds. I bought chick grit which was way smaller than the stuff I asked about. I sprinkled it over their food about 12 hours after they ate it I gave them small mealworms which they loved.