Grit! ......when, how, and how much?.

[Michael Apple]

Ok I put a container of grit out there... Now I should take it out? What about all the info I read that says they will eat only what they need? They have their starter and an occasional treat ( eggs, carrots) it doesn't really look like they have touched the grit but I thought it should be there if they need it... Wrong?

There's all kinds of info from all kinds of people. Some of it bad, some of it good. I do things my way for a reason and it comes from more than 30 years of raising chicks and keeping poultry. I won't recommend something if it hasn't been proven to be beneficial to the animal. Feeding chickens eggs, with the exception of getting a sick bird to eat, is nonsense. The starter/grower rations are formulated with a balance of vitamins/minerals specifically for chicks. Offering other foods that may not have that balance direct the chicks away from what they truly need in their development. The people who come at it with,"Well hens don't control what their chicks eat!" That is true but the mortality of birds in the wild is higher. What we are attempting to do is have zero mortality with our chicks.

If the chattering class trusts their chicks will all survive with the mother hen, then why are they raising them in the brooder without her? Know what I mean? I stated my recommendation, and if others choose to argue with common sense, that's their choice. I guarantee those who think it's fun and cute to give all sorts of human food items to their chicks before they develop their digestive and immune systems, will be posting sooner than later in the Emergencies/Diseases section of the forum. If you bother to study a chicken's digestive system, you will see why fibrous foods, and foods with too much or too little nutrients can cause problems in a developing chick. That's all.

 

[coop-er]

There's all kinds of info from all kinds of people. Some of it bad, some of it good. I do things my way for a reason and it comes from more than 30 years of raising chicks and keeping poultry. I won't recommend something if it hasn't been proven to be beneficial to the animal. Feeding chickens eggs, with the exception of getting a sick bird to eat, is nonsense. The starter/grower rations are formulated with a balance of vitamins/minerals specifically for chicks. Offering other foods that may not have that balance direct the chicks away from what they truly need in their development. The people who come at it with,"Well hens don't control what their chicks eat!" That is true but the mortality of birds in the wild is higher. What we are attempting to do is have zero mortality with our chicks.

If the chattering class trusts their chicks will all survive with the mother hen, then why are they raising them in the brooder without her? Know what I mean? I stated my recommendation, and if others choose to argue with common sense, that's their choice. I guarantee those who think it's fun and cute to give all sorts of human food items to their chicks before they develop their digestive and immune systems, will be posting sooner than later in the Emergencies/Diseases section of the forum. If you bother to study a chicken's digestive system, you will see why fibrous foods, and foods with too much or too little nutrients can cause problems in a developing chick. That's all.

T

 

[coop-er]

Michael Apple... Interesting, informative, educational and duly noted. Thank you.

 

[vicki5112]

Being new to chicken farming, I was wondering how to give grit to my 2 4-5 month old BO's. They are not free range yet as we have only had them a few days. I want them to get used to their new home before I let them out. Anyway, that said, the are in a small coop with a small fenced yard. They have eaten all the clover & knotweed that was there so now it's down to the bare dirt. Do I need to provide additional grit for them or can they get what they need in that small space? I have been sprinkling a small handful around their yard every other day so far. We have only had them since Saturday. And another question I have, hope it's OK to ask here...about when can I expect them to start laying? (Better to ask forgiveness than permission

Thanks!

 

[vicki5112]

OOPS...maybe I was wrong in posting my questions here...guess my BO's are not chicks anymore...so sorry As well as being a new chicken farmer, I am new to this site & still trying to find my way around...again I apologize.

 

[3riverschick]

Quote: Hi,
Yes, now it is time to give them grit. You can give them regular grit. Chick grit isn't needed at this age. Just put some in a cup and set it out for them. My birds start laying about 7 months, They're Sussex. Congrats on your birds,
Enjoy them!
Best,
Karen

 

[vicki5112]

Thanks Karen, Just a little update...now that we have had the girls for a month, for the past 2 weeks we have been allowing them free range for a few hours every evening, they absolutely love it. Not laying yet though, but hoping pretty soon. I am still adding the grit in their pen for them to have whenever they want.

 

[Fancypants1]

There's all kinds of info from all kinds of people. Some of it bad, some of it good. I do things my way for a reason and it comes from more than 30 years of raising chicks and keeping poultry. I won't recommend something if it hasn't been proven to be beneficial to the animal. Feeding chickens eggs, with the exception of getting a sick bird to eat, is nonsense. The starter/grower rations are formulated with a balance of vitamins/minerals specifically for chicks. Offering other foods that may not have that balance direct the chicks away from what they truly need in their development. The people who come at it with,"Well hens don't control what their chicks eat!" That is true but the mortality of birds in the wild is higher. What we are attempting to do is have zero mortality with our chicks.

If the chattering class trusts their chicks will all survive with the mother hen, then why are they raising them in the brooder without her? Know what I mean? I stated my recommendation, and if others choose to argue with common sense, that's their choice. I guarantee those who think it's fun and cute to give all sorts of human food items to their chicks before they develop their digestive and immune systems, will be posting sooner than later in the Emergencies/Diseases section of the forum. If you bother to study a chicken's digestive system, you will see why fibrous foods, and foods with too much or too little nutrients can cause problems in a developing chick. That's all.

All very good points, can I have your thoughts on grit? How much and at what age should I start offering it? My chicks will be 4 weeks Monday.