Is backyard dirt acceptable as temporary grit?

[Wyorp Rock]

I think it's o.k. If they are eating dirt, then that can make the poop a look that way.

Is the pasty butt resolved? If you are giving oatmeal, just give a very small amount, you want them eating chick starter for the most part. If you have any that seem a little constipated, they may not be drinking enough. Make sure your water is not getting too warm and it's kept on the cool side of the brooder.
You can also give them a wet mash of chick starter that will get a little more moisture into them. Just put a small amount of starter into a bowl and mix with warm water. Let is soak for a little bit.
All of mine love wet feed, they get it daily - I don't ferment, but make a fresh soaked feed daily.

 

[duluthralphie]

@casportpony is the poop expert. Nothing stuck out at me in the pictures.

@Wyorp Rock good post above on reassuring her.....
However, I cannot get what is growing into the house this time of year or for the next 8 months...

Any ideas how to bring this inside for them...

 

[Wyorp Rock]

@casportpony is the poop expert. Nothing stuck out at me in the pictures.

@Wyorp Rock good post above on reassuring her.....
However, I cannot get what is growing into the house this time of year or for the next 8 months...

Any ideas how to bring this inside for them...
View attachment 1597033

Ralphie, they make such a thing as an Ice Pick - just chip off little and bring it in, you'll be just fine

 

[SomeChickinTN]

I think it's o.k. If they are eating dirt, then that can make the poop a look that way.

Is the pasty butt resolved? If you are giving oatmeal, just give a very small amount, you want them eating chick starter for the most part. If you have any that seem a little constipated, they may not be drinking enough. Make sure your water is not getting too warm and it's kept on the cool side of the brooder.
You can also give them a wet mash of chick starter that will get a little more moisture into them. Just put a small amount of starter into a bowl and mix with warm water. Let is soak for a little bit.
All of mine love wet feed, they get it daily - I don't ferment, but make a fresh soaked feed daily.

Yesterday was the second day since checking and none of them had it for the first time since they arrived. I'm guessing it's from settling on a lower temp. They have had nothing but chick starter until yesterday, and I only gave them a little bit of cornmeal and dirt, but I do have crappy dirt, so that's probably it.

 

[duluthralphie]

Crappy dirt is ok, It gives them whatever you have out their. I buy sand (when my own sand is too solid to dig and I have lent my ice picks out to the neighbor kids) from Menards for the babies, It is the stuff bagged to use in pick-up trucks as weight.

 

[Acre4Me]

They made it a week and are doing well it seems. You’ll be surprised at how familiar you’ll feel with chickens pretty soon.

 

[duluthralphie]

Also,,,,,,, Do not fret too much if one dies....Chicks have a mortality rate just a tad lower than goldfish do.....

 

[SomeChickinTN]

Crappy dirt is ok, It gives them whatever you have out their. I buy sand (when my own sand is too solid to dig and I have lent my ice picks out to the neighbor kids) from Menards for the babies, It is the stuff bagged to use in pick-up trucks as weight.

When they built my house they had to use a jackhammer. Most of my yard is about 4 inches of dirt, and then solid Rock. The only way I'll be able to garden is to do raised beds and bring in soil. I'm worried that the chickens are going to scratch down to the rock in the run when they get out there, so I was thinking about letting the chickens be my compost machine in the run.

 

[duluthralphie]

When they built my house they had to use a jackhammer. Most of my yard is about 4 inches of dirt, and then solid Rock. The only way I'll be able to garden is to do raised beds and bring in soil. I'm worried that the chickens are going to scratch down to the rock in the run when they get out there, so I was thinking about letting the chickens be my compost machine in the run.

Let me put your mind to rest so you do not have to worry about whether they will ruin your garden or not..................They will.

 

[duluthralphie]

When they built my house they had to use a jackhammer. Most of my yard is about 4 inches of dirt, and then solid Rock. The only way I'll be able to garden is to do raised beds and bring in soil. I'm worried that the chickens are going to scratch down to the rock in the run when they get out there, so I was thinking about letting the chickens be my compost machine in the run.

You might want to see if you can buy the gravel I get or something similar, it is cheaper than buying grit and seems to work well....
I do buy the stuff that is mixed with oyster shells for my caged birds. (breeders and show birds).