Introducing grit to chicks

[ChixPeeps]

Hello

We have eight pullets and they are two weeks old, I'm wondering when to introduce grit to their diet and exactly how we should. Interested in everyone's opinion on this.

 

[Shido Burrito]

I agree! I'm interested to know too! I read in one book, "Chick days : an absolute beginner's guide to raising chickens from hatchlings to laying hens" by Jenna Woginrich, that she recommends scattering a bit of chick grit around day 4. If they are eating just chick starter, I think they're fine for a little while.

 

[lings143]

I am interested in the answer to this as well. I feel like I need a chart on when you can feed this and that and how to do introduce it. It's easy to get overwhelmed!

 

[JaceAgain]

The bag said 2 weeks so thats when I started

 

[donrae]

Grit is needed for a bird to digest non-commercial feed. If all your bird gets is commercial feed, it never needs grit as the feed is designed to break down on it's own. Other foods, such as grains, fruits, veggies, meat....pretty much any non commercial feed except something like yogurt needs grit. Birds don't have teeth, and they can swallow quite large pieces of food, so the grit helps them grind up the food internally. Chicks can eat grit at a day or so old, they don't need to be a specific age.

 

[lings143]

Thank you for the info, Donrae. That cleared up my confusion.

 

[ChixPeeps]

What exactly are you using for grit though? And thank you for that information too

 

[Ridgerunner]

You can often buy chick grit at the feed store, but it needs to specifically say it is for chicks. That’s just granite that comes from granite quarry operations that has been screened to get the right size. They are recycling the wastes.

You can use coarse sand, like construction sand. Don’t use the really fine play sand, it’s too fine to last. You can scoop up some sand from a sandbar in a stream. If you allow them access to the ground, they will find their own.

 

[JaceAgain]

What exactly are you using for grit though? And thank you for that information too

So you can feed table scraps and treats, pretty much. No grit = crumbles only, grit = whatever withing reason.

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

I know the feed bag says to wait to introduce treats until 2 weeks old, but this is how I've always handled treats:

If you've ever had a broody hen, you'll notice she doesn't follow that 2 week rule. Typically, her chicks are eating what she finds for them as soon as she brings them off the nest. That may be their normal feed or whatever I put in their treat dish. So, chicks brooded by me get treats as soon as I feel like giving them. Also, I've never bought a bag of chick grit from the store. A clump of dirt from my yard, containing pebbles of assorted sizes, has always done the job just fine. And I like the price.

Good luck with your chicks everyone!