How long without grit?

[coach723]

I order from Chewy all the time.......
Do you have a feed store or Tractor Supply near by? The only grit I see on Chewy is a mixture of grit, oyster shell, and charcoal, or a pet bird 'grit' that is actually just oyster shell. Even many walmarts carry poultry grit, which is crushed granite. You want just grit, and price-wise it's generally very inexpensive and lasts quite a while. Poultry grit is larger than ornamental bird grit, and appropriately sized for chickens. Oyster shell is a whole different thing, and should be provided separately.

 

[Criticalicious]

You should be able to find poultry grit at Tractor Supply for less than $10, but it's often cheaper at a feed store. My feed store sells a 50 pound bag for $8. Will last forever.

 

[robinwhiskers]

We won't have to go to TSC for a while, that's why I wanted to order from Chewy and I can't find any options on Amazon.

 

[coach723]

https://www.amazon.com/Manna-Pro-Po...8&qid=1545867935&sr=8-3&keywords=poultry+grit
They have smaller bags also, just search for 'poultry grit'.

 

[Dkbahoo]

Crushed up egg shells work as a good replacement!

 

[rosemarythyme]

Crushed up egg shells work as a good replacement!

Egg shells are not a substitute for granite grit, which is meant to help grind up food. They can replace or supplement oyster shells, to provide calcium.

 

[Fishkeeper]

Grit is basically a bird's teeth. They keep it in their gizzard and use it to help grind their food up, and they have to keep eating more to replace it. Eggshell and oystershell are calcium supplements, to compensate for how much calcium they lose by laying eggs.

 

[chickengr]

I bought grit for our chickens who live in a coop and run (the run has a dirt floor) and I've put some in there in the past but the bag got ruined so I'll have to get more. Is it fine if I wait till about January 3rd or 4th to give it to them? They get treats in moderation but for Christmas yesterday they got some green grass to eat (now I know long strands can cause crop issues so won't do that anymore), rice, and canned dog food for protein for the molters. Should I be fine waiting that long until I get grit next?

my chickens spend most of time in their runs (on a dirt floor) and I have never ever given them any grit. they pick up from dirt whatever they need.

 

[llombardo]

I would be careful with giving them additional grit when outside andthey get it naturally. When my duck got sick the first thing the vet noticed was a ball of grit sitting in her belly(she could feel it). That can't be good for them at all.

Mine are going back and forth from outside to inside and I inly give it when they are inside.

 

[coach723]

My birds have grit available all the time. Some birds will overeat ANYTHING, I've never had issues with too much grit. If it's always available there is less risk of impaction from anything else they may eat. Sometimes if they've eaten something else that is hard to digest they will eat more grit, that is what their body tells them to do.