How long without grit?

[chickens really]

Oyster shell isn't Grit. You need real pebbles/Rock in tiny form for Chickens as Grit. I toss it on the ground in my Run for them a couple times a week.

 

[Dkbahoo]

Oyster shell isn't Grit. You need real pebbles/Rock in tiny form for Chickens as Grit. I toss it on the ground in my Run for them a couple times a week.

“Real grit” has been found in chickens stomaches and caused serious issues because it’s not digestible so I just do egg shells and occasionally oyster shells and they free range and I haven’t had any issues

 

[llombardo]

I think grit is needed for digestion but I would love to see some kind of proof of how much is needed and how long it lasts. I never know how much to give inside. Let's face it, it can not be easy to digest rocks.

 

[coach723]

“Real grit” has been found in chickens stomaches and caused serious issues because it’s not digestible so I just do egg shells and occasionally oyster shells and they free range and I haven’t had any issues

The fact that it's not digestible is the entire point. The grit is their 'teeth', it's the only way they can break up fiberous stuff so that it can pass through. Without adequate grit they are at greater risk of impaction. Grit resides in the gizzard where it's used to grind up the food, it gradually wears down and is expelled in droppings as tiny bits, so they need to be able to get more to replace it. It's completely normal to open a bird up and find grit in the gizzard. If the rocks are too large, then they could possibly cause a problem, but appropriately sized poultry grit is not a problem. Impactions from long fiberous plants or foreign objects are far more likely than an impaction from grit.
http://www.scoopfromthecoop.com/the-importance-of-grit-for-chickens/

 

[chickens really]

Hilarious...Free range Chickens eat small stones so yes it's found in a butchered Bird. They have no teeth so the grit is in the gizzard and passes through the Bird. Chickens need Grit...

 

[Aceoky]

I keep poultry grit, oyster shells(along with some nearly powdered egg shells from time to time) in their lot at all times, they eat what they need as they need each one.