How long do they need grit?

[storiesandglass]

I got my "day old" Khaki Campbells on May 4th, making them around 3ish weeks old (however, I really think they are older than 3 weeks old.) They are outdoors full time, now, and LOVING the warm weather and freedom they have to run around!!

Their pen has a dirt floor with Rosewood horse bedding (wood shavings) on top, we're doing deep litter method in there. They free range in our yard (with our supervision) once a day or so.

Do they need supplemental grit and if so, for how long?

 

[chickens really]

I don't supply my Ducks Grit unless it's winter..Mine free range. They find what they need as they forage.

 

[Jpat]

I found it hard to find the answers, What i collected from it was

They dont need grit with commercial feed.
They do need grit even for peas and vegitables.
They need it their entire lives if they eat more than commercial feed
They will find their own if they are on a dirt floor or outside

 

[chickens really]

Lol...Ducks are not Chickens and I only supply Grit to them also in the winter..

 

[casportpony]

I found this to be an interesting read:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/the-science-of-feeding-grit-to-poultry.891051/

With mine I sprinkle a little grit on top of their crumbles if they are in brooders, but once outside on the dirt I do not offer grit.

 

[ChocolateMouse]

Forever. It's part of their digestion. They have a gizzard which is a small organ that grinds and "chews" their food because they don't have teeth. They swallow small rocks to fill this to grind their food and sometimes to get minerals; that's what grit is.

Commercial feed is soft enough they don't need to "chew" it. But anything that's not a ground mush or pellet they need grit to grind up.

Most birds CAN get grit from just finding it outside, but if they're in a pen and there's not much available they may need it supplemented their whole lives. In the winter, especially, it can be hard for them to find appropriate stones.

So giving extra depends largely on what your free-range situation and soil looks like.

 

[casportpony]

So giving extra depends largely on what your free-range situation and soil looks like.

Good point.

 

[obieandhisgirls]

i give my flock some grit mixed in there food everyday it helps keep there egg shells hard

 

[chickens really]

i give my flock some grit mixed in there food everyday it helps keep there egg shells hard

Huh...? Grit is tiny stones...Oyster shell is for calcium and not grit...

 

[Jpat]

must mean this kind of grit, which is mostly oyster shell