Grit!?

[Chick1043]

How many of you here use grit? Is it something chickens like "need"? Or will they be fine without it?

 

[anderson8505]

It depends on if and how much free ranging they get. If they get none, they need some grit. What you're feeding them also has something to do with it.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

I give cherrystone grit size #3 to my LF and #2 to my bantams. If you are feeding anything other than cracked grains (or pellets etc.) then you need to make sure they are free ranging with access to grit or give them grit. Otherwise they cannot digest properly.

 

[Egghead_Jr]

Come winter if you get a real winter they'll need grit supplement. It's a simple as going to a crushed stone yard and getting a small pail full of #4 stone. Passes through 1/4 inch screen to retain on #4 screen. Or rake some up from the road shoulder

If you don't provide grit they'll consume far more feed as it's their primary digestive system and will pass through much undigested feed as waste. Birds eat small stone (angular is better) to grind food in crop before it goes to stomach. To not have it is like us eating without teeth.

 

[Chick1043]

My chickens free range everyday for about an hour or two depending...This is my first year raising chickens and so far they're doing okay. I feed them corn scratch but when they are all 16 weeks+ I will feed them layer feed. I have chickens of all ages and not needing anymore! Already have 11! lol

 

[happyhens120]

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I started with 4... now I have 29! lol

 

[birdygal]

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Glad to know this. winter is coming fast. Thanks.

 

[mommissan]

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I started with 4... now I have 29! lol

I said no more than 6..... 15 later..... I need a bigger coop!

 

[Chick1043]

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I started with 4... now I have 29! lol

I said no more than 6..... 15 later..... I need a bigger coop!

Haha!! Well...That could be me but I don't think I could get any more! lol