Holy Mackerel!

[rancher hicks]

So I went to get some oyster shell grit for my birds.
There is one brand "Gran-I-Grit. It said oyster shells on the bag but when I flipped it over and read the ingredients it said it contained "silica" and to wear a mask and gloves and to shower after and wash your clothes.
So I didn't get it and bought a smaller bag of another brand for $5.
Well I did get two bags one labeled chicks starter and another for grower. Both Gran-I-Grit.
The thing is these both contain "silica" too. Even though they say granite.
Well this "silca" is toxic and it can cause respiratory problems like cancer.
WHAT THE HECK AM I SUPPOSED TO DO FOR GRIT?
If it's toxic to me what about my chickens?
What are you using for grit?
What brand?

 

[LynneP]

My feed has grit in it. Are you sure you need a separate source?

 

[Puck-Puck]

Grit sources? Every winter, the Highways maintenance contractor dumps river gravel on the roads as grit. Everything from pebbles to dust. While it may not be ideal for traction, I scoop some up and put it in a pan for the birds. They can decide what size grit they want. They seem to be doing okay. I don't see where you are from, but is there a quarry or works yard near you where they wouldn't mind if you took a bucket of grit away? Do you live in an area of glacial till, where you may find this naturally in embankments and slide slopes? How about near an unpolluted river or lake, where fine gravel collects on the banks between boulders?

(NB, there's not much traffic on the roads in our little dead-end; it's not as though this gravel is soaked in engine oil and grossness.)

 

[Rootball]

Little bit confused if you are buying grit or oyster shell,

but if its granite grit....the reason they label the silica is because, its not exactly toxic, but in its tiny dusty form if you inhale it for prolonged periods you can get silicosis of the lungs.

Granite is about 70% SiO2 (silica dioxide) in fact silica is the second most common material in the earths crust. you come into contact with it all the time, however if you are someone like a potter or a stone cutter where you breath crushed or granulated silica dust it will cause problems. So they label it. Its just one of the materials you get from crushed stone. I doubt you or your chickens will have any problems.

 

[socks]

Yes, ex potter here, silica flour and silica sand are quite different and the danger in the flour is inhaling it.

 

[rancher hicks]

I was purchasing "oyster shells" for my newly laying hens.
Because I have some young'uns I was buying chick grit.
And because the "oyster shell" was so expensive I bought a bag of the layer grit also.
"Gran-I-Grit is the brand name on the bag.
As for the silica being toxic.
This is from a warning on the bag. It literally is on the bag that this silica is toxic and to wear a mask and gloves. That it contains 1%silica.
I didn't realize this and I've been handleing this stuff without gloves or a mask!
The oyster shells I bought contain just "oyster shells".
Please just read the label. It doesn't matter where the silica comes from, it's still toxic and can cause respiratory problems.
So does someone else use a different brand than what Country Max is selling here in NY?

 

[Rootball]

yeah i see what you are saying, but I dont think you can find any grit without silica in it. Its not toxic to eat or drink, you can mix silica dust with water and make a cocktail if you like, but when you breath it it causes damage to your lungs(Actually the way I understand it, it causes your lungs to damage themselves).

I dont want to downplay the danger of silica dust, I am a potter too and I always wear a dust mask if making glaze or working with dry clay ingredients, however it would take like 15 years to develop chronic silicosis if you were working with it regularly.

here is a link that talks about silicosis. http://www.lawsuitsearch.com/news/toxic-products/silica_dust_exposure_symptoms_risks_sc.aspx

honestly if you just hold your breath as you pour out the chick grit youll be fine. You will find silica warnings on all sorts of things from bags of sand, to mortars, cement, etc.