I'm new to raising chickens so this is definitely a greenie question. I've read a bunch of threads and I know I need to give grit to the girls but I'm not sure how to give it to them. Do I place it in a bowl, spread it around the run, mix it with their food?
just mix it in with their main feed and oyster shell (if any) in the same feeder if you allow your chickens access to dirt/sand.. they do not really need grit
You really do not want to give chickens grit as they can impact their crop with insoluble substances. You want to offer grit, as in a separate container, free choice. They will know if they need it. If they have access to dirt or pebbles, they will eat your free choice grit even less...
I have a double sided wall hanging feeder that has grit in one compartment and oyster shell in the other. I also toss a pit of grit out in the run for them to pick at. Sometimes I mix it with the scratch grains and toss it for them.
Good points. Never mix supplements, whether they be grit or oyster shell, with feed. Then they have no option but to consume those things if they want to eat, whether they need them or not. Provide them is a separate container. You can also place the appropriately sized grit on the ground. If the grit is too small (chick grit fed to adults) it will pass right through the gizzard serving no benefit. For baby chicks, you can sprinkle chick (#1) grit sparingly on their feed the first week.
