Grit question.

[Kiki]

Adding to the grit question. Mine are in the brooder. It says to give grit at about 3 to 4 weeks old. The grit looks to big for them that I have. Actually I been giving it to the older chickens. The bag says all types of chickens. Can I take that and hit it with a hammer to crush it? For the newborn chicks. When they are old enough to take it.

If your chicks are in a brooder and only eating chick feed they don't need grit.
I personally have never bought "chick" grit. I buy Poultry Grit and I offered it at day 3 because I feed things beside just chick feed.

 

[jwyles]

Adding to the grit question. Mine are in the brooder. It says to give grit at about 3 to 4 weeks old. The grit looks to big for them that I have. Actually I been giving it to the older chickens. The bag says all types of chickens. Can I take that and hit it with a hammer to crush it? For the newborn chicks. When they are old enough to take it.

They do have chick grit you can purchase as well.

 

[Kiki]

They do have chick grit you can purchase as well.

I'm sue they do.
My local feed store just doesn't carry it.

 

[jwyles]

I'm sue they do.
My local feed store just doesn't carry it.

I understand. I've seen several people suggest to crush up the larger grit.

 

[lazy gardener]

Adding to the grit question. Mine are in the brooder. It says to give grit at about 3 to 4 weeks old. The grit looks to big for them that I have. Actually I been giving it to the older chickens. The bag says all types of chickens. Can I take that and hit it with a hammer to crush it? For the newborn chicks. When they are old enough to take it.

I'm guessing that trying to break it up with a hammer would be a difficult task. Do you have little stones in your soil? A gravel driveway? I supply grit to my chicks simply by giving them an upturned clump of sod from my yard, and scooping some gravel from my driveway.

I'm in the camp that says, "Birds have no teeth and were given a gizzard by the Creator that was designed to hold little stones to grind their feed." So, I give my birds grit if they don't have natural access to it. IMO, chicks have an innate desire to eat grit, and if it's not supplied, they will feed that need by eating shavings and other un-natural materials.

 

[Wawa Coffee]

I have a similar question - I've been using contractor sand as chick grit and am wondering when to go to actual poultry grit (or if I'll need to). I give them grass clippings to eat in the brooder which they love so they need the sand. Eventually I'm assuming they'll need something larger like actual grit - just wondering WHEN. How many weeks do you think? They're almost 4 weeks old now.

Thanks,

Wawa