How much grit?

[Kubotabear]

I have a question about supplemental grit for my peepers. I've got 5 hens and one rooster that are 9 weeks old. I picked up some special small grain chick grit from our farm store once we moved them to the outdoor coop where they have access to a nice sized yard.

I've been placing a small dish of grit in their coop about every 3-4 days and they devour it like their feed.

My main worry is that I'm giving them too much at their age. Of course, I had to read some article that said young chicks can get bound up with too much grit so now I'm paranoid.

The guy at the farm store said to offer them free choice and they'll eat what they need. But I think because they are so young they just eat whatever is in front of them, even pecking at their own poop.

Maybe they need more grit because of how fast they eat it?

Thanks for any advice.

 

[azygous]

For once, the guy at the feed store is right. Chicks, no matter how young, will only eat as much grit as they need. It's an instinct.

I give my chicks grit from day one. They eagerly consume it since a mother hen would also instruct them to do so if grit is present. Grit is regularly pooped out as it travels through the gizzard and worn down. It takes less time for sand size particles to wear down, thus chicks appear to be eating a lot of it.

As long as chicks always have access to clean fresh water, this will pose no problem whatsoever. Grit is like an insurance policy to head off digestive issues so common in young chicks.

 

[GC-Raptor]

At 9 weeks old they should have Poultry Grit offered separately. . . It's larger than Chick Grit. I offer it at 7 weeks. GC

 

[Criticalicious]

Yes, at 9 weeks they should be on the larger "grower grit" not chick grit. They are probably consuming a lot of chick grit because it's breaking down too fast in their gizzards. Basically, the gizzard stores the grit and the food passes through like rocks in a tumbler, getting broken down. As the grit is ground down, the small pieces are passed out as waste.

Grit should always be offered free choice in unlimited amounts. Free range birds will often find what they need outside, but since grit doesn't go bad, it doesn't hurt to get a big bag and offer it at all times.

 

[GC-Raptor]

Yes, at 9 weeks they should be on the larger "grower grit" not chick grit.

I've never seen Grower Grit. My TSC only offers Chick Grit and Poultry Grit. . . The Poultry Grit has different sizes in the bag. Chickens will take the appropriate size. . GC

 

[Kubotabear]

Oh my gosh, thanks for all the input. I'm really happy I found this site where I feel like I can get really good advice and help with being a new chicken owner.

Up to now my only advice has been from a neighbor who has a flock of around 30 chickens, 24 of which he just replaced this year because 'for some reason a whole bunch had just up and died'. Needless to say, even as a novice I was not impressed with his whole setup and reluctant to use him as any source of information.

 

[Criticalicious]

TSC is great for some things and limited on others. Look for an agricultural co-op, Rural King, or Southern States, etc. Gran-I-Grit is the brand that makes multiple sizes of grit for chickens and turkeys, but it's not sold at TSC. I buy mine from a local feed mill. Costs $5 for a 10 pound bag or $8 for 50 pounds. If you use layer grit, some of the pieces may be too large for babies. You may need to sift out the smaller pieces for them.

 

[blackdog043]

for some reason a whole bunch had just up and died'

It may have been a mink or weasel, they can/will wipe out a flock in a night, with no signs other than bite marks on the neck. They only need a hole the size of a quarter, to get through.

For your question, you can start to give them poultry grit now, instead of chick grit. Keep the chick grit for your next batch of chicks.