I thought chicks need grit?

[cluckmecoop7]

Hi all,

I always thought you had to give chickens/chicks grit. A person a talked to who has had chickens for a long time said she never used grit...is that true I don't need it? When the chicks are in the brooder they need it, don't they? If they are on wood chips with no sand or dirt them they can't get grit. I bought a bag of 'chick grit' and want to use it anyway. It is not opened yet so I thought I could ask here and see if it is worth keeping.

I want to make sure my chicks have a lot of grit so they can digest their food. I also want to get them used to it so when they get big enough to go outside in the real coop that they eat the one I give them or pick it up from the ground.

Thank you!

 

[A_Fowl_Guy]

I don’t use grit but I free range so they get the grit they need from that. It all depends on your set up.

 

[Ms Biddy]

I read that giving chicks grit from 1 week up helps them develop strong gizzards and sets a foundation for a healthy digestive system later in life. I've never given my birds grit until they started getting food other than crumble, but I'm going to start with the chick grit because gizzard strength is important. I don't worry about giving it to my older birds that free range because they seek out their own. I know this for a fact because when we butcher them, their gizzards are full of little rocks.

 

[BantyChooks]

I have never given any bird grit. I hadn't even heard of it until I came to BYC. The gurus say they only need it if they're eating things other than their regular pellet/crumble food.

My birds are generally free ranged. Chicks are in the house for a few weeks, then they're put outside on dirt. They seem to pick up enough from around the yard because I've never had digestion issues with them even when I'm feeding all-they-can-eat scraps.

 

[ejtrout31]

i dont give grit mine are free range

 

[21hens-incharge]

Yes set up matters.

For birds in confinement providing grit is important since accessible stones become depleted over time.

That means mine have grit provided. I am in town and have predators. My birds spend 90% of their time in the runs. My yard has grass so getting to stones is not really possible even when out and about.

It cannot hurt to offer it in a dish separate from feed and oyster shell.

 

[Mimi13]

I provide any chicks raised inside the house grit after a few days of hatching. They eat only Flock Raiser crumbles and every once in a while there will be a sizable chunk of corn. Also, once they are exposed to pine shavings they do ingest some.

Grit, if eaten and not needed, will not hurt them. However, grit if needed and not eaten will cause all kinds of problems. Your main concern should be not letting them “fill up” on grit before feed. It won’t take them long to learn what is feed.

My chicks brooded outside pick up grit almost as soon as feed since my coop litter is construction grand sand.

 

[cluckmecoop7]

Thank you everyone!

My chickens are not going to be free-range so I am going to give them grit. If I have leftover chick grit can I give it to the big chickens? Will it still help them?

Thank you!

 

[A_Fowl_Guy]

Thank you everyone!

My chickens are not going to be free-range so I am going to give them grit. If I have leftover chick grit can I give it to the big chickens? Will it still help them?

Thank you!

Shouldn’t hurt them. Good luck in your chicken endeavors!

 

[cluckmecoop7]

Thank you for all the advise! Really, really exited! Going to have them in a few weeks or so!