So, I understand it can be a good idea to offer small grit to chicks around 2-3 weeks old (mine are 2.5 weeks old), so I got some "All Pet Bird Grit & Gravel" and put some out in a freestanding dish. They are supposed to only take it if they need it, right? Well, my chickies ate it all up like candy. Are they in THAT dire need for the grit? They are on chick feed and get soft treats (watermelon, cooked green beans, chopped alfalfa) and have been outside a few times to eat bugs. New England soil is pretty sandy, too, so I figured they would get some grit just from being outside. Should I put out less to keep them from eating it all up? Or put out more because they must need it since they are taking it?
Be sure the grit does not have calcium or sodium in it. Chicks dont need it and could get kidney stones or renal failure. As for eating it like candy, my chicks ate Certifoam insulation in their coop like candy. Chickens dont need grit if all they eat is commercial chicken feed. They only need it if they get other foods like grass, seeds, bugs, garden scraps, dinner leftovers etc.
I have read that chicks will fill up on grit, and have seen it too. They recommend "sprinkling it like salt" over the food. I have found that after my chicks go out to the coop they don't overdo it any more. I like to offer my chicks grit starting on the 3rd day, so that if they eat their shavings at all they won't die. The size grit that is recommended changes with age, according to the bags I buy from the feed store.
