??Grit vs Scratch...if any???

[teresac]

First time with chicks.

My chick are going on 5 weeks old and are about to be moved to their house and run. Run is on the ground (no grass just dirt). I am confused about grit vs scratch.

Here is what I "think" I know:

Scratch is treat food......grit is given if scratch or treats are given to them

If my chicks are outside in house/run and I give them greens or scratch DO THEY NEED GRIT if they are in a run?

Everything I read up on this I get more confused as there seems to be various opinions.

Help

 

[enola]

scratch is food

they need grit to grind up food and treats

 

[KattyKillFish]

i always let mine have scratch along with egg laying mash in their winter. it gives them the energy they need to keep warm. and yes, they do need grit. although mine like to chill out in the driveway and get their choice of gravel.
oystershell is also a good thing to give them. i also grind up egg shells from cooking & give that to them for extra calcium.

*edited for spelling errors*

 

[damselfish]

Grit is rocks, granite if you buy it commercially, whatever rocks they can find if they are outside.

If you're going to have them confined I would go ahead and give them grit since they will have a limited number of suitable rocks in the run area.

You're right, scratch is a grain treat and they will need grit to grind it up, as they will need grit to grind up any other food they find or you give them.

Oyster shell is for laying age birds. It cannot substitute for grit because it is too soft.

 

[LilPeeps]

Scratch should only be fed as a treat, not as a major food source. Grit is used to grind up food. If they're going to be living on dirt, they should be able to find rocks on their own so supplying them with grit won't be necessary.

 

[Rufflemyfeathers]

I have heard and read that if got a dirt floor they do not need grit..Idon't give mine grit at all and scratch is a food for them as treat.. they have a dirt floor..