Grit question?

[OHMYCHICKIES]

We live in an area that is very rocky, lots of rock - little and big, would I still need to give grit to my chicks? (they free range)

Also when do you know if they have an impacted crop?

I was petting the girls last night and I felt their crop full, is that normal?

(Sorry I'm new to raising chickens)

 

[gritsar]

While my young chickens are free-ranging I'm not giving them grit. Once they go into their permanent run I plan to start giving it again. My reasoning is there is only so many pebbles and such in one area.
Mine always have full crops at the end of the day.

 

[JennsPeeps]

Quote:
No apologies needed! We were all new at one point! I've had chickens for just 2 months and it feels like forever. If only they'd start laying.

re: grit - I've been offering grit since my girls were teensy chicks. I haven't offered them grit again since they've been free-ranging. They're at an in-between size where they're too big for the chick grit and too small for the hen grit. Guess they'll find what the need out in the yard. As evidenced by all the poop in the yard, they're digesting just fine.

 

[AllChookUp]

My understanding is that chicks don't need grit if they're just getting chick feed and easily-digested stuff like yogurt. If they range, they should be picking some grit naturally.

 

[OHMYCHICKIES]

Quote:
No apologies needed! We were all new at one point! I've had chickens for just 2 months and it feels like forever. If only they'd start laying.

re: grit - I've been offering grit since my girls were teensy chicks. I haven't offered them grit again since they've been free-ranging. They're at an in-between size where they're too big for the chick grit and too small for the hen grit. Guess they'll find what the need out in the yard. As evidenced by all the poop in the yard, they're digesting just fine.

Didn't know we're able to tell by how much poop, in that case, I should be okay. My BR's have humongous poopers.

 

[Hangin Wit My Peeps]

I just throw a little on the ground in their run and they seem to find it just fine. I do this about every 4 days or so.

 

[JennsPeeps]

Quote:
It's more that the poop appears to all be the same, regardless of what they've eaten. It all looks thoroughly digested.

 

[OHMYCHICKIES]

yup, all the same huge yucky poop

 

[granmahen]

While we're talking about grit...can I use the same calcium fortified grit I use for the cockatiel?

 

[Rosebud75]

You can just throw it on the ground for them? How much, a handful, 2 handfuls? Do/can you do the same with oyster shells?