I dont know what to do about grit

[JackSbackyardchickens]

Is it absulutly necisary i have been feeding my chickens a cheaper feed that you can just find at fleet farm and am not entirely sure about using grit is it necisary or can they go without

 

[DobieLover]

Is it absulutly necisary i have been feeding my chickens a cheaper feed that you can just find at fleet farm and am not entirely sure about using grit is it necisary or can they go without

Grit is a necessity. Chickens have no teeth. They use the grit they pick up by storing it in their gizzard for grinding their food. As these stone particles wear down, they need to be replenished.
It is inexpensive. However, if you free range and the birds have access to small stones or small gravel, they will eat that.
Some people think that grit and oyster shell are the same thing. They are not.
Grit is required for proper digestion.
Oyster shell is used for calcium supplementation in layers when a chicken is not being fed a layer formulation.
Hope this helps.

 

[21hens-incharge]

Yes they need grit to grind their food.
It is cheap and fleet farm should have it.

https://www.fleetfarm.com/detail/cherry-stone-50-lb-2-poultry-grit/0000000096432?Ntt=Chicken grit

This is what I use.

 

[JackSbackyardchickens]

Yeah ok so do i just mix it in with their food or spread it around their run

 

[21hens-incharge]

Put it in a small dish near their food. They will eat what they need when they need to replenish it.

I use an old sour cream tub.

 

[JackSbackyardchickens]

Ok thanks

 

[GC-Raptor]

I keep Poultry Grit and Oyster Shells in separate containers. . . GC

 

[Kiki]

If you are feeding your chickens a complete feed for poultry only and it is in a pellet or crumble then no you do not have to offer grit.

 

[21hens-incharge]

If you are feeding your chickens a complete feed for poultry only and it is in a pellet or crumble then no you do not have to offer grit.

But if giving anything extra like scraps or treats or if they are eating grasses then they need it right?

 

[JackSbackyardchickens]

Yeah i might feed them some scraps but not many just every once in awhile