Grit vs Oyster Shell Question

[Pinebox Provisions]

Our two flocks are 15 weeks and 4 weeks. Should we still give our part time free range 15wk flock grit?
(Love our PVC feeder btw! Hubby made a how to on TikTok)

 

[TooCheep]

Your call. If they free range for only an hour/day, I'd supplement with grit. If they free range all day, they should be fine. Anywhere in between, then ??? I consider grit to be cheap insurance for good digestive health. Feed pellets don't need grit (they dissolve in water), but any other food- scratch grains, vegetation, bugs, etc. are "chewed" using the grit.

Very nice feeder. Looks exactly like mine. If you get some spillage, you may need to add a semi-circle plate at the bottom of the opening to make it harder to spill.

 

[Chickn Keaper]

We're feeding DuMOR 16% Layer Pellet Poultry Feed.
Unfortunately we don't have stones, rocks, sand or anything in our soil. Just clay that gets cement hard as the weather warms?
I was thinking of getting a dump truck full of gravel.
I was just wondering about the oyster shell because it's the same size as grit.

I am very disappointed with DuMOR 16% layer feed. My original set of girls were having all sorts of nutrition related issues. As I was talking with the lady that I got my second set of chicks from she recommended Game Bird 30% protein starter crumbles by Purina. I have used it ever since and have had zero problems! I also leave calcium on the side for them.

 

[gailbelanger]

I am very disappointed with DuMOR 16% layer feed. My original set of girls were having all sorts of nutrition related issues. As I was talking with the lady that I got my second set of chicks from she recommended Game Bird 30% protein starter crumbles by Purina. I have used it ever since and have had zero problems! I also leave calcium on the side for them.

What did she recommend for layer food?
The high protein is only good until they start laying and the layers need calcium.

 

[Mr Spot]

Do any other species of birds require grit/oyster shell? turkeys, guineas, peafowl, pheasanya, quail, pigeons?

Years ago I used to raise and fly homing pigeons, I fed them Purina Pro-Grains 16 and always had grit for them.

 

[Back 30]

We're feeding DuMOR 16% Layer Pellet Poultry Feed.
Unfortunately we don't have stones, rocks, sand or anything in our soil. Just clay that gets cement hard as the weather warms?
I was thinking of getting a dump truck full of gravel.
I was just wondering about the oyster shell because it's the same size as grit.

If you have a run you could use crush and run on the ground... Or church up a lawn ornament and border with some crush and gravel. I just paid 35 dollars for a half-ton of it but you can buy by the bag at Lowe's or home Depot.

 

[gailbelanger]

If you have a run you could use crush and run on the ground... Or church up a lawn ornament and border with some crush and gravel. I just paid 35 dollars for a half-ton of it but you can buy by the bag at Lowe's or home Depot.

That's what I was thinking. Getting a truck load of small gravel but someone said it would be too big and wouldn't work.

 

[589205]

That's what I was thinking. Getting a truck load of small gravel but someone said it would be too big and wouldn't work.

Do they not like Cherry Stone grit?

 

[Pickensandchigs]

How are we all so sure that oyster shell doesn't aid in digestion?

 

[Pickensandchigs]

Is there a concern that feeding egg shells to hens might start a nasty habit, like eating eggs? Seems like that is what you're training them to do.