grit

[beginnerchick08]

This is probably a dumb question but i've been wondering do you mix the grit with the food or do you have a separate section for them to eat it.

 

[Wildsky]

I never gave my babies grit, when they were old enough to go out (it was summer) they went out at a week or so old during the day only - they got to pick and scratch around in the dirt, and got their own that way.

I gave some small treats while they were outside, and all was well.

 

[Hiedi]

This might be helpful. I am quoting the information from Carla Emery's book Encyclopedia of Country Living. This in under the section "Chick Food: Diet Options".

Chickens also need pebbles (grit) to help their gizzards digest food. It's not necessary at this time to feed grit with commercial mash; chickens of any age being fed an all-mash ration can make it without grit. If the feed includes some coarse material or is a home-devised diet, add a very little sand sprinkled over the top. Or you can buy a product called "chick grit". You'll have to increase the size of their grit as they get older. Warning: Consuming too much grit and/or litter will impact the chick crop and gizzard, causing the chick to starve.​

 

[willheveland]

I give(chick grit) it to chicks after 2-3 days.I keep it in a spice shaker and shake it on like salting food.I think it helps them keep from getting a pasty butt.(which could kill if not tended too).It is cheap and a bag lasts a long time. Will