Hen's Teeth - when, how and how often to give them rocks

[Raising Reds]

Thank you, everyone, for your helpful information! We have a lot of sand in our yard as well as the small rocks so it may be that they're picking some up when they free range (although all I ever see them pick up is bugs, worms, greens and the occassional baby snake). Just in case, I'll buy some grit from the feed and seed and put out for them. I've been mixing oyster shell in with their food but maybe I'll mix oyster shell and grit together and put in a seperate feeder.

 

[VioletandBodie]

Quote:
parakeet grit has to much calcium in it

 

[BWKatz]

Quote:
parakeet grit has to much calcium in it

Oyster shell is all calcium plus calcium is difficult for the body to absorb. They have to be out in sunlight to get Vitamin D for it to absorb. I don't think they can get too much calcium.

 

[HorseFeathers]

If they're free-ranging they should be okay, but we have a tuna can full of grit in their coop anyway (free choice).

 

[Ridgerunner]

Quote:
parakeet grit has to much calcium in it

Oyster shell is all calcium plus calcium is difficult for the body to absorb. They have to be out in sunlight to get Vitamin D for it to absorb. I don't think they can get too much calcium.

Growing chicks can get too much calcium. It can affect bone growth and damage the liver.

Grown chickens can get too much calcium. They can handle more calcium than growing chicks without damage, but their liver still has to eliminate all the calcium that gets absorbed that they don't need. That can put a strain on the liver and lead to problems. If given a chance, they will pretty much regulate themselves.

Too much of anything can be as bad or worse than too little. Grown people have killed themselves by drinking too much cool, safe water.

Not all parakeet grit has extra calcium in it, but some does. I suggest you read the label.