Grit & Scratch - what ARE they??

[huntsman]

Just returned from our local poultry outlet where I attracted blank stares when I mentioned grit or scratch. It got worse when I mentioned BYC and try as I might to find whatever they might have had that would be the local version of scratch or grit, there simply WAS nothing.

I got the chick starter and the laying powder for the hen without any problem, but this crumble that you talk about? No luck there, either!

 

[dovecanyon]

Hello again my friend! You always make me smile...

Crumble refers to the texture of the feed. There is Mash, which is finely ground feed; Crumble, which is coursely ground feed- probably the most popular version; and Pellets which is feed that is compressed into small pellets.

Scratch is a mixture of seeds and grains given to the chickens in small amounts as a treat. It is usually just tossed into the run, on the ground. The chickens will scratch and peck to eat it, hence the name Scratch.

Grit is course sand, or small pebbles that the chickens need in order to digest any food other than the standard chicken feed. If the ground in your run has small bits of rocks or pebbles in it, they will eat these as grit. Before long they will use up what is naturally available, so you will need to supply it for them. You can either toss it in the run on the ground, or have a separate container with grit available at all times. Your chickens will not be able to digest greens or kitchen scraps without it.

You didn't mention crushed oyster shell, but I'll go ahead and bring it up before you go back to the poultry outlet... it is simply what it's name inplies- crushed oyster shells. Your hens will need the added calcium to produce strong shells for their eggs. You can also provide the calcium by drying and crushing up your empty egg shells and feeding those. Again, you should have a separate container of either oyster or egg shell, your hens will eat what they need.

Hope this clears up some of the confusion for you. Next time you go to the poultry outlet, you can amaze the employees with your vast knowledge!

 

[huntsman]

Lol!

They're all convinced I'm insane anyway - don't want to really scare 'em!

Thanks for the heads up. There was definitely none of the above items by any name at the store, though I did see oyster shell advertised in a local newspaper or magazine, so at least that's available.

 

[PandoraTaylor]

For chicks you can get Parakeet grit at any Pet store or even Walmart.

 

[4-H chicken mom]

Don't feel bad huntsman, we all had to learn somewhere and to those who don't remember those days,

 

[huntsman]

.

Heh heh! Most of it is a language/culture thing, and once you understand what you are looking for it's often available, but under a totally different name.

 

[codybird]

What part of the world are you near?

(Not to get to nosey.)

Nevermind. Africa. Author search.

 

[huntsman]

Yep.

South Africa. ...

and questions are welcome.