Grit.....?

[Want Less]

Where do you get grit from? If I ask for it at the feed store will they know what I'm needing?

Also... I am confused as to what constitutes as "free range" and who does and does not need grit supplied... My chickens will be living in a tractor and moved frequently around our farm. According to some sources, they would be considered free range and not need grit. But other sources say they do. Right now they are only 6 weeks old and still on chick feed which I'm told already has grit in it. When they are older we plan to feed them whole grains so I guess that is when it would be good to know if we need to supply grit or if they are getting enough from pecking around the farm...?

 

[jbowen9]

Yes they should know at the feed store what grit is for chickens. Now on providing grit i would just to be on the safe side better to have it and not need it as to need it and not have it. As long as your feeding chick food you wont need it unless you just want to provide some for them to play around in

 

[Want Less]

Quote:
Thanks! Ok now I won't feel silly when I go pick up feed this afternoon and ask for it...

My chicks are spending their days in the tractor right now, and I have a litterbox in there filled with sand that they play and bathe in. They also peck around in it. I've heard that sand works as grit too, is that true?

 

[flockof4]

Yes, most sand will work for grit. All-purpose sand has different sizes of pebbles that work fine for chickens. I do the same thing as you, I put a little pan in their coop with sand in it and they use it for grit and for general fun.

 

[Want Less]

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What I have is the bagged sand used for children's sandboxes. Is that adequate? They seem to love it.

 

[flockof4]

Not sure about sandbox sand. Sounds like it should work just fine. There was a post on here a few weeks ago about the ideal size of grit for chickens. I think it was 3/16 to 5/16 of an inch. You can try to find that post, I think it was under Feeding & Watering Your Flock.

 

[stitchie]

OK I am new also to the chicken seen. Grit??? Is it different than scratch??? Do they eat it or just play in it???

Our chickens are 6 weeks old, what should I be feeding them now? I have been feeding them chick feed do they need anything else right now, and when they run out of that what do I start them on next?

 

[RocketDad]

"Play" sand is washed and sifted for consistent size - and it's too small for chicken grit. Pea gravel is what they like as adults.

My nearest feedstore sells little 5# bags of grit - MannaPro brand. It's just crushed granite, like they use to "chip-seal" roads around here. About pea sized, but highly variable, and it's very angular. I put a handful into the feeder once in a while over the winter when they weren't able to get to the graveled parts of the back yard.

For chicks, "tube" or traction sand is great, as it's barely sifted and not really washed. That means that the particles are angular and highly variable in size. Or you can dig up a red anthill for them, if one is around -- the rocks are already sorted by the ants and are an ideal size to get their little gizzards started.

 

[RocketDad]

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Scratch is mixed grains and cracked corn that they will "scratch" around on the ground to eat. A handful is enough, corn is like candy to them. More entertainment than nutrition.

You can start giving them some scratch and leafy greens when they seem interested in it. Try offering it and see what they do. Don't be surprised if they start chowing down on the grit like crazy at first, they need to load up their gizzards to digest the rough stuff.