grits

[Isaacman]

i dont know what grits are! are you talking bout the food that i eat should i give them that?! should i cook it or what, someone help please

 

[sundance]

cook them first, since it takes 4 times the water to cook the grits it would probably harm your chicks if you fed them with out cooking.As an old southerner we eat a lot of grits and I always cook extra for the chickens marrie

If your talking about GRIT thats another thing entirely its something like oyster shell or hard shell but thats for when they start laying. and no you don't cook that, it just goes in a bowl to help them digest their food, When I first got my babies I went to walmarts and got some bird grit since it was really fine, but after they grew up I used hardshell.

 

[noitulover]

THIS IS IMPORTANT!!

grits are a food. if they are cooked, you may give them to chickens.

***but what you are probably referring to is Chicken Grit. this is crushed granite bits. chicken do not have teeth and to break up certain food, they must have this grit. chickens kept in coops most of the time will need this mixed in with their food and in a separate container for free choice. chickens that are allowed to free range, usually pick up small bits of rocks that do the job as well. however, i would offer it to them free choice in a separate dish too. if chickens do not get grit, they will get what is known as "impacted crop" or "sour crop"... this means their food is not broken down and gets stuck in their crop. it can't be digested and they WILL DIE.

oyster shell should be given free choice to laying chickens. THIS IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR GRIT! this oyster shell provides calcium that laying hens need to lay eggs with hard shells. the oyster shell is SOLUBLE and will not do the job of breaking down food.

 

[Isaacman]

where can i buy chicken grit? and when do i start feeding it to them?? they were born april 29th.

 

[noitulover]

you should be able to buy it at places like Tractor Supply Company or any farm supply store... you can also order it online... i'm sure hatcheries sell it too (murray mcmurray, mypetchicken, ideal, etc.)

i started mixing it in with their chick starter crumbles at maybe three weeks? they don't really need it until they start with layer pellets or they are getting treats... (greens, vegetables, fruit, etc.)

i'm sure if you mix it in now, it will be fine!

 

[Isaacman]

Thanks im running to go buy grits today and i give them treats and what not, they eat grass.

 

[noitulover]

good luck! let us know how those chicks are doing!