How to grit chicks?

[1adybug]

I've got some 1 week old chicks being mother raised and I'm planning on starting to give them some mealworms/insects soon so I'd like to start incorporating grit into their diet. I've heard about over gorging so I'm worried about just putting it out for them to free feed on (I put out some in a dish and a couple of them were really going to town on it, but I'm not really sure how much they are supposed to eat). I've also heard of missing it in with food but that seems to have mixed reviews. Any advice is greatly welcomed!

 

[SourRoses]

There's nothing wrong with free choice grit. If they eat a lot it's usually because they needed it. Because it really doesn't taste like anything (I'm guessing).
Any excess grit will just come out the other end. The crops only hold so much. It's very muscular and contracts as part of the digestive process. All grit eventually comes out, that's why chickens should always have access to some.

 

[RoyalChick]

I have heard of this gorging thing but never had an issue with my chicks. Worst mine have done is attempt to dust bathe in the bowl!

 

[TooCheep]

What they said. ^^^ The chicks will not eat rocks to the exclusion of real food. Animals that dumb naturally exit the gene pool.

 

[1adybug]

There's nothing wrong with free choice grit. If they eat a lot it's usually because they needed it. Because it really doesn't taste like anything (I'm guessing).
Any excess grit will just come out the other end. The crops only hold so much. It's very muscular and contracts as part of the digestive process. All grit eventually comes out, that's why chickens should always have access to some.

Thank you!

 

[rosemarythyme]

A small dish of it should be fine unless you really do see them going to town on it. Or yes, you can also sprinkle a pinch on their food or even sprinkle it on the ground in areas they like to forage in, so they can pick it up as they dig around with their mama.