I heard about something. But is it nessecary?I

[PetDuck]

I have my Duckling and he is 16 days old.
I heard something about putting poultry grit it their food.
What is it, How do I use it, When do I start using it, And do I REALLY need it?

 

[kellysmall87]

I don't know about ducks, but with chickens you don't really need the grit unless they aren't free ranging. I offer my chickens some occasionally but they get it from the garden naturally. Maybe ducks are the same?
Grit comes in soluble and insoluble. Both are used to grind down food. I think one type is used in the throat and the other in the gut. Also grit can provide calcium if it contains ground up shell. In chickens, boiled and ground up egg shell is good as grit and calcium. Maybe for ducks too?
Hopefully I have shed a bit of light on this subject....
Kelly.

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

As long as the duckling is in a brooder only and on starter crumble you don't need grit. Once outside or you start giving other food sources (melon, greens ect) you need to offer grit to aid in digestion. A seperate bowl or a tiny amount sprinkled in the food bowl.

 

[PetDuck]

Can I make my own grit?

 

[Stephanie739]

I've never used grit, but my chicks have free access to the yard, dirt, gravel, wooded areas, etc...my understanding is that grit would be necessary if they were not exposed to these natural ways to aid with digestion. I have not raised ducks.

 

[PetDuck]

Can anyone that has raised ducks help me???

 

[kellysmall87]

Can I make my own grit?

Yes. Ground up egg shell, oyster shell, ground up small tiny rocks etc. They also get a tiny amount of grit from pecking at walls.

 

[PetDuck]

Does this work for ducks?
How old when I start???

 

[kellysmall87]

Does this work for ducks?
How old when I start???

Maybe this will help?

http://www.thepoultrygarden.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=14258

and

http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/livestock/poultry/feeding/nutritional-requirements-ducks

I would say have it available immediately but ground it finer when they're younger.

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

Google is your best friend if you don't want to be patient and learn by searching BYC. Take a moment to search and read, amazing what all is already shared.