Intro of grit

[NJChicken]

Chicks arrived yesterday. doing well in their brooder in the garage. We bought Dumor Starter at Tractor Supply. Eating away. Question: my understanding is that I do not introduce grit at this time. Correct? When do we add it to their brooder box?? When they have feathers?? OR When ???

 

[mikeyjp007]

I hope you get a reply as I am in the same boat! have chicks nearly a week old and was wondering the same....someone help please:/

 

[SarahIrl]

On commercial feed they should not need any, but if you give them extras like grass clippings, green veg, scraps or let them roam outside, you do need to provide it then.

 

[pontoosuc]

I added mine when we introduced 1/2 grapes and raisins.

 

[FRlEDeggs]

Chicks will only need grit if they are eating anything other than chick starter, like treats

 

[crawfordmama]

My chicks get grit if they have any treats other than yogurt or egg.

 

[GrannySue]

Do they need grit if they're running around all day on earth? I figure they pick up grit when they go for bugs or spilled food.

 

[woodmort]

Agree with the above--if you offer grit too soon they'll eat that rather than starter. Once you begin to offer other food that needs to be ground up, scatter the grit around and they'll find it and pick it up, that's how they would get it if they were following momma around--don't dump it in a pile or they'll fill up on it. Use small sized grit too--there is chick grit available but I've gone to pet shops and picked up parrot grit to use. A little bit goes a long ways.

 

[NJChicken]

Many thanks for the input. Very helpful.

 

[gryeyes]

And, because I'm cheap, I use construction sand. Buy it in 50# bags at any home improvement store, less than 7 bucks. Don't use play sand, that's been screened to just small sand. Construction, or all-purpose sand, has bits of granite, little pebbles, and sand. I save some aside as grit, and put the rest in cat litter pans in covered areas for the chickens to scratch in, dust bathe, etc. And some I just tossed in their favorite sun-bathing spots.